Thanks to everyone who has replied, especially apistomaster for taking time out to offer such comprehensive answers. I recognise exactly the process you describe. I started about 8 years ago wanting a few fish to amuse the children, and the LFS said, "well you can have plastic plants for decoration ...

Hmm looks like I messed up on the Smileys there, oops.

Wow can I say thanks to everyone for their comments and advice, plenty to think about.

As you surmised apistomaster I am using the pH and KH method of calculating the CO2. I am using a drop checker device to give me a continuous pH reading, albeit with a built in delay, but I have been doing pH ...

Hello this is my first post so forgive my lack of knowledge - I would welcome some advice. I have a male Bristlenose Ancistrus. He is about eight years old and about 125mm long.

We got him originally because we had a brown algae problem which he sorted in about 24 hours despite his tiny size at the ...