.... Aquatic Plants I'm currently keeping -

                          List  

   (Scientific name) 1/20/13

Ceratopteris thalictroides

Echinodorus paniculatus

Anubias Lanceolata

Cabomba caroliniana

Egeria densa

Hygrophila difformis

Rotala rotundifolia

Lemna minor

Spirodela polyrhiza

Taxiphyllum barbieri

Nymphoides aquatica

Sagittaria subulata

Vallisneria americana gigantea

Echinodorus palaefolius var. latifolius

....WOW ... lots of FISHTANK NEWS :

Dirt & Biological Substrate for the 70g.

New plants, location and FRY !!!! for the 20g.

+ Free 10g .....

--- just an update - 

50.8 x 27.9 x 33.0 - 10g DIY background

Trying a new substrate .....anyone ever use it ?? info, experience and advise appreciated......... Thanks

http://www.microbelift.com/products/home-aquarium/planted-aqaurium-products/biologically-alive-substrate/

Trying out this NEW substrate Biologically alive for planted aquariums - MICROBLIFT.... tons of macros & micro's,,, Both the 70g and the 20g have been planted for 2 days and so far I'm excited. The initial excess nutrient overload was easily combated with Lemna minor and Hygrophila difformis... and now  the cloudiness is gone....

Spirodela polyrrhiza --- 

--- I'm truly blessed !! Since I've been back into the Aquarist hobby my family has heard nothing but aquarium talk from me . Not only have they been super tolerant but approve, encourage, and support it... so it seems every time my Moms is out doing her shopping she always ends up buying me something for the Tanks.. It's AWESOME !! I am a grown man that gets incredibly excited when (MOMS) says' "oh ya i picked you up something for the aquariums"  It doesn't even matter what it is ... and usually its close or exactly what I would have chosen. The fun and excitement on the drive to my parents house is like Christmas morn. (when your a Kid!) - oh yes I am blessed !! 

CICHLID in PLANTED TANK ??   Yes !!    The trick is to get the tank established with plants first, with a growth rate that is faster than the fish can eat them Once you get that going, you can keep almost anything in a planted tank..+ Adding juvenile cichlids helps too. They acclimate, adjust and become conditioned to live along side plants.  Keep a healthy macro & micro nutrient level so not only the plants can thrive, but to help with algae growth..... " Algae is a good thing in a cichlid tank!"