any aquarists here? I need some help...

[deranged chipmunk]

Ugh, you're so mean!
I do not fertilize the tank, would any of the plant fertilizers at the lfs suffice, or do reccomend a specific brand?
The airstone is about 4 months new.
The Co2 I bought and have been using for only about a week is API Co2 booster. I follow the directions, 1 ml per day per 10 gallons.
I feel so bad for those plants, yes, they are 2 years old! They were huge, but as the leaves have started dissentigrating, I've been pruning them off... now they're just these pathetic little things.
One thing that someone jsut mentioned, I also have never replaced my bulb, maybe that is part of the equation?


Who would take my pleco? I have no friends with tanks, and I kind of like him. I read he will max out at 4 inches. I believe he is an albino bristle nose? I could be wrong.

Thanks bill!

for swords, since they are heavy root feeders, i would use root tabs. either the seachem or api versions work well. if you have access to empty gel caps (doesn't everyone? LOL) you can fill them with osmocote (available at most big box stores), in essence, making your own root tabs.

the problem with adding carbon AND an airstone is that you are just pouring money into your tank. the o2 you are adding from the airstone is negating the co2 you're adding. my recommendation? put the air pump on a timer and put it on at night only. since the plants don't utilize co2 at night, it will supplement the tank with o2 for the fishies. the bulb could be part of the equation, but i doubt it. they most likely started melting due to the death of the 2 fish and lack of fertilization. swords are very sensitive to ammonia swings, even if only temporarily. i change the bulbs in my planted tanks annually, but i know people who change them when they burn out.

as far as the pleco goes, you're good to go darlin'. i was under the impression that you had a standard pleco. abn's are perfect for small tanks. they are great little fish. and i'll let ya in on a little planted tank secret: the more plants you have in a tank, the more leeway you have with stocking. the plants serve as a bio filter and allow for a bit of overstocking. so your current stocking level is ok with the swords you have in there.