So much going on! Received the leech trap today and set it up even though I think I got them all (can’t be too sure.) The duckweed I bought is doing wonders for the protein slick at the top of the tank and the shrimp LOVE the new hiding spots/food. After a brief algae bloom I reduced the lighting and it seems to have cleared up. The water is getting clearer but there was one more step backwards when I realized one of my mystery plants needed driftwood to grow on. Suffice to say the plant is super happy but the new wood spurned yet another bacterial bloom which clouded up the water again. Meanwhile the water parameters look great for fish so I went to the nearest mom and pop shop and asked for two of their cheapest fish to test out the tank – which turned out to be $2 zebra danios. They were so pale when I brought them home I could barely see their stripes which is normal for freshly shipped fish. What I did not expect was them to darken up and grow within the 24 hours I’ve had them! (Some fish take up to 2 weeks to fully color!) They ate ALL the microworms off the glass and went immediately into spawning mode after eating themselves silly. I have no idea if they’re a pair or two males but I guess we’ll find out! Meanwhile the red plants are doing really well and the surviving green plants from the previous shipment grew so much I had to clip them back already! Not bad for what? A month in? Not bad at all… Next up I’ve bought a bubbler to agitate and add oxygen to the water. I expect things to start going fast from here…