I had to seriously cut back and trim out most of the plants from the mid to background on in the tank. I even had to remove the nice growths of Java & Peacock Moss I had growing driftwood and the rocks.

Why?

Algae growth due to serious neglect on my part, that’s why. While I have been maintaining the water quality for the fish, I have not taken good care of the plants. Being a stay at home dad, taking care of an infant, meant little time to trim and really focus on what needed to be done. There were times I could NOT see much in the tank, the glass was so covered with algae. It grew in thick, stringy columns from the mosses and tangled around the taller plants. There were times it formed a mat so dense on the surface that little light made it through to the plants!!

I’m going to get it all back in shape though! First, some serious cutting things back…