These pics are from the initial planting back in October 2006. I really need to update the photos--the tank is looking much better.
April 2007 I'm still having trouble with floating particulates. I suspect that either the soil I used under the gravel is so light it's escaping the gravel cap, or the cap just isn't deep enough. It is gradually improving, so hopefully it will go away eventually.
I pulled all the plants yesterday and added another inch of gravel. It may be my imagination, or it may be removing detritus (there wasn't much), but the tank seems clearer today. On the down side, pulling the plants shows the Ammannia gracilis isn't doing well in this tank, so I'll need to start thinking about alternate plant choices.
May 2007
I finally took the dirt out of this tank and am using plain gravel. Even though it doesn't look it in this photo, the plants are responding well to the change. Algae is receding and the water is clear finally.
