My Neurospicy Soup

June 9.

Here we are again on my quest for the most beautiful planted tank in all the lands! As you can see, I like to soak my air plants in my aquarium. This way they get chlorine free water along with some nutrients. Just don’t do this if you use anything with copper in your aquarium, as it will kill air plants.

I’m starting by trimming and removing melted leaves

I want to give the sword plant more space, so I’m removing any Vallisneria that is too close.

If I wasn’t so tired, I would try selling the plants I pull out and trim.

Now that it isn’t tangled up, the sword plant looks much better.

I tucked some of the Vallisneria behind the branch.

I stuck in some blanched cucumber, topped up the water, and added liquid fertiliser.

June 17.

With each week I’m happier and happier with how it looks! My mystery snail, Steve is about 1.5 years old now. Personally I think he’s adorable.

I’m removing some algae this week. I used to have trouble with hair algae, but this is a new one. It’s slower growing and feels very sticky. Unlike hair algae, it attaches to surfaces very well. I found the easiest way to get it off is to use my fingers and rub it into a ball.

I’m trimming this plant and propagating it. I also trimmed the Rotala to give it more light.

I removed a bit more of the Vallisneria, added 2 broken up root tabs, liquid fertilizer, and left it at that.

June 24.

I’m doing a quick parameter check with some strips. I’ve checked these against the API freshwater test kit and they do pick up the nitrate fairly well.

I checked to see if the pH was high enough for the snails.

I’m removing some pups and trimming some jungle Vallisneria leaves.

Removing more algae (mostly growing on my pre-filter sponge).

I was tired so I just finished by topping up the water and adding liquid fertilizer.