An update on this tank.
2 dojo loaches rule the tank, seem to love it they swim all around and "rest" wherever they want. At the bottom,.on decorations, next to the filter, sometimes even on the plants.
The skirt tetras (total of 6) are a happy bunch. Also swimming all around, always hanging together.
All the fish in this tank ALWAYS come up to the feeding ring and will even "nibble" at my hand if I dip it in. Anyone who approaches the tank is greeting with hungry fishes waiting for food to be given.
As of the last 2 or 3 months, a black film started developing on all decorations and plants, then started to show up on the glass. I can't describe it feels slick to the touch, not like a "fiber" (as fine algae often feels) and it actually comes off relatively easy
I had to scrub the glass surfaces and also the rocks, however a simple rinse (as you would rinse rice with your hand, just gently scrubbing it) helped me get it off my plants. It, however; seems to be making a comeback. Picture attached and closeups are from one week after I clean these up. You can see the black "stuff" slowly regrowing.
I tweaked the programmable light's time and intensity and it seems to be helping (along with the deep clean I gave it a week ago).
Anyone has any idea as to what this is, and what else to do about it?
I don't expect to keep removing, cleaning and repositioning plants and decorations on every water change (qeekly) or even every 3 weeks or so. I assume this has to do with he fact that the tank now receives more natural light (whereas in my old place it was entirely dependent on artificial light) because back then I had no problems at all like this.