Dear Saha: Yes, driftwood encourages algae, so I have moved on, to rock hardscapes. If you would like to do this, with free rocks, you can find, locally, you can acquire a strong acid (such as agricultural vinegar, which is available, from Amazon, for about $20.00/gallon) and test your, local rocks, to see if they are aquarium-safe. If you put a drop of strong acid, on a rock, and there is no reaction, such as bubbling or hissing, you know that it is inert, and thus, safe to put, in an aquarium. I find it best, to use only one type of rock, for a hardscape, as a matching hardscape looks most appealing. You will have no trouble hiding your sponge filter, with aquarium-safe rocks. The root tabs, which I purchased, years ago, were just Osmocote pellets, in clear, dissolving tablets. I found them ineffective. The pellets of Osmocote did not dissolve, so they didn’t provide much nutrition, for plants. Perhaps the root tabs you purchased will work better. A more effective (and cheaper) way, to fertilize an existing set-up is to wrap compost (chopped and baked, horse manure) in brown paper, which contains no glue or toner. You can cut this, from a brown, paper bag or use the brown paper, used as packing material. Push packets of compost, into the substrate. The brown paper will deteriorate and cause no issues, for your flora or fauna. You removed green hair algae, very well and your set up continues to look better and better. I’m pleased, to see that the nano-shrimp and fish, in your tank are healthy and happy. Keep up your, terrific work, in the hobby and sharing it, on UA-cam. All my best, Sincerely, E. J. Brinegar
Dear Saha:
Yes, driftwood encourages algae, so I have moved on, to rock hardscapes. If you would like to do this, with free rocks, you can find, locally, you can acquire a strong acid (such as agricultural vinegar, which is available, from Amazon, for about $20.00/gallon) and test your, local rocks, to see if they are aquarium-safe. If you put a drop of strong acid, on a rock, and there is no reaction, such as bubbling or hissing, you know that it is inert, and thus, safe to put, in an aquarium. I find it best, to use only one type of rock, for a hardscape, as a matching hardscape looks most appealing. You will have no trouble hiding your sponge filter, with aquarium-safe rocks.
The root tabs, which I purchased, years ago, were just Osmocote pellets, in clear, dissolving tablets. I found them ineffective. The pellets of Osmocote did not dissolve, so they didn’t provide much nutrition, for plants. Perhaps the root tabs you purchased will work better.
A more effective (and cheaper) way, to fertilize an existing set-up is to wrap compost (chopped and baked, horse manure) in brown paper, which contains no glue or toner. You can cut this, from a brown, paper bag or use the brown paper, used as packing material. Push packets of compost, into the substrate. The brown paper will deteriorate and cause no issues, for your flora or fauna.
You removed green hair algae, very well and your set up continues to look better and better. I’m pleased, to see that the nano-shrimp and fish, in your tank are healthy and happy.
Keep up your, terrific work, in the hobby and sharing it, on UA-cam.
All my best,
Sincerely,
E. J. Brinegar