Thought I would post again Finally!!

Sorry I haven't written in a long time, just haven't been "feeling" the tank in a while. Mostly cause I had a misterious die off. I added some fish to get the cardinal levels back up and then literally I think I lost probably 10-12 fish. Combined with some carbon dioxide poisoning and an algae outbreak I was pretty frustrated. Then I remembered this hobby is all about patients, which I lack at times.

So here are some updated photos looking to get more here soon. I also am including a "stock list," of the animals and plants.

Fish:

11x Cardinal Tetra, Paracheirodon axelrodi

1x Bushy Nose, Ancistrus

4x Golden White Cloud Danios, Tanichthys albonubes

5x Galaxy Rasboras, Celestichthys margaritatus

6x Harlequin Rasboras, Trigonostigma heteromorpha

4x Von Rio Tetras, Hyphessobrycon flammeus

2x Honey Gouramis, Trichogaster chuna

2x Neon Blue Dwarf Gouramis, Colisa lalia

2x Hi Fin lyretail swordtails, Xiphophorus helleri

3x Dwarf Cory Cats, Corydoras habrosus

Invertebrates

1x Fresh Water Clam, Corbicual

4x Japonica Amano Shrimp, Caridina japonica

1x Japanese Trapdoor Snail, Viviparus malleattus

1x Olive Nerita Snail, Nerita

Plants

4 Leaf Clover

Wisteria

Dwarf Hair Grass

Water Sprite

Micro Sword

Ludwigia Broad

Chain Sword Narrow Leaf

Green Cryptocoryne

I got a new filter cause mine was pretty much blown it was really loud (sucked in too much gravel during the initial build). I picked up the emporer 400 (as opposed to the penguin 350) so worth the extra $30.

A few tips that have really helped me out here recently.

A 10% water change once a week is better than a 30-40% water change once a month.

For those with hang on the back power filters rinsing out the filter cartridges once a week during the water change is a really good idea.

Plants are 90% carbon. You have to have Co2 injection if you want live plants in your aquarium and no amount of live stock will produce enough Co2 to keep your plants going. (you can't just stop b/c you are tired of getting refills are Academy and BUY THE 10 LB Co2 TANK don't think paintball canisters are big enough)

Starting the Co2 injection 1-hours before the lights come on is a good thing to bring your Co2 levels back up. Ending it 1 hour before the lights go off will prevent it from changing your PH too much.