Live Tank Journal: 29-Gallon Planted Aquarium

Pre-water-change nitrate measured between 20–40 ppm, closer to 20. Removed the poly-fil from the refugium chamber and added a piece of coarse sponge media to the return pump chamber to help reduce byproducts entering the pump area.

Performed ~75% display and ~90% sump water change. Dosed a general cap of Seachem Excel and completed the final spot dose on the area targeted all week — now fully BBA-free. Only small isolated spots remain elsewhere in the tank. Added Stability to help seed beneficial bacteria onto the new filter media.

Pre-water-change nitrate measured at ~20 ppm. Performed ~90% sump and ~75% display water change and dosed Prime as usual. Applied a standard Seachem Excel dose. Noted that two mystery snails died earlier in the week; they came from the same source and age was unknown, and this may have contributed to the nitrate spike. Tank glass is very clean — adding more algae wafers into the rotation to support the cleanup crew.

Feeding: Brine shrimp + flakes. Nitrates measured around 5 ppm (low range). Dosed 4 pumps of NilocG Thrive Plus fertilizer and skipped Seachem Excel to avoid stressing sensitive plants. Added a bag of Seachem Matrix to the filter chamber to weigh down floating filter pads, expand biomedia capacity, and support long-term beneficial bacteria stability. Tank remains stable with strong feeding response; fertilizer dose increased today due to the low nitrate reading.

Nitrate tested at 5 ppm. Fed flakes and bloodworms. Spot- and cap-dosed Seachem Excel. BBA nearly gone; only a small area remains in a sensitive plant zone, so treatment is applied carefully to avoid damaging plant tissue.

Fed algae wafers and flakes for veggie day. Fish responded well and feeding was consistent.

Pre-water-change nitrate tested at 40 ppm, prompting a deep clean with roughly 90% of the sump and 75% of the display refreshed.

Installed a new poly-fil barrier to keep debris out of the pump chamber and maintain water clarity as the system settles post-maintenance.

Nitrate measured at 20 ppm with the community fed flakes and brine shrimp alongside a spot dose of Seachem Excel.

The last traces of BBA near the random flow generator have cleared, closing out the Post-Treatment Recovery Week on a high note.

Fed flakes and bloodworms with a targeted spot dose of Seachem Excel to keep algae pressure light.

Fish activity and appetite remain strong as the system holds steady through Post-Treatment Recovery Week.

Nitrate tested under 5 ppm. Dosed four pumps of NilocG Thrive Plus and added a spot dose of Seachem Excel.

Fed algae wafers with a pinch of flakes so every fish got a share, keeping nutrients low yet stable during Post-Treatment Recovery Week.

Fed flakes and brine shrimp with two spot doses of Seachem Excel to keep BBA in check.

Malaysian trumpet snails naturally polished the sump overflow screen, keeping debris away and signaling a “Natural Balance Discovery” milestone as the system self-regulates during Post-Treatment Recovery Week.

Pre-water-change nitrate tested between 20–40 ppm (closer to 20). Completed roughly 95% sump and 70% display water changes with a light trim.

Performed spot and cap doses of Seachem Excel as a routine post-change treatment and noted fresh plant growth emerging.

Served a light portion of flakes only for the planned low-waste day while continuing Post-Treatment Recovery Week.

Nitrate measured between 10–20 ppm (leaning closer to 20). Fed flakes and brine shrimp alongside spot and cap doses of Seachem Excel.

Black beard algae around equipment has fully turned red, marking the start of Post-Treatment Recovery Week as the die-off phase takes hold.

Nitrate came in at 10 ppm. Fed flakes and bloodworms, then spot and cap dosed Seachem Excel targeting remaining BBA near the random flow generator.

Amano shrimp grazed in the treated area, showing renewed activity and signaling a recovering ecosystem.

Fed three algae wafers and a small pinch of flakes to ensure the entire community ate. Nitrate registered at 5 ppm.

Dosed four pumps of NilocG Thrive Plus. System remains stable and balanced following the recent maintenance cycle.

Nitrate tested at or below 5 ppm. Dosed one cap plus spot applications of Seachem Excel.

Fed flakes and brine shrimp while the tank remained stable post-maintenance.