I can't tell you how many times I almost gave up and chucked it out. In this tank GH=KH=0 and pH <5.5. It has taken ages to take. Usually supplemented by flourish root tabs but last month I could not get any to top up. I substituted with JBL - the vals don't seem to notice the difference but the crypts and hygrophila did not appreciate the change. Managed to find some this month and have them on order.
A turning point may well have been the addition of 8 little otos several months ago. One of my biggest gripes about the vals was their affinity for algae, but they are a firm favourite for the otos - in fact if you look carefully you can see several in this pic.
A turning point may well have been the addition of 8 little otos several months ago. One of my biggest gripes about the vals was their affinity for algae, but they are a firm favourite for the otos - in fact if you look carefully you can see several in this pic.