29g Planted

Water Sprite sometimes take a while to get established, esp. when it's rooted. Try floating if you haven't already chucked it. It's a great nutrient sink which will help with the algae issue.
 
Dosing is best if done daily or every-other day. Devide the dose into smaller portions and does 3-5 times a week, instead of one big dose. This gives the plants time to absorb it. Also I do not see any watersprite. Did you try floating it. I find it hard to kill.
 
Update: First plant trimming, put them in another tank. Overall the tank looks good. Surely not on the level of some of the other tanks I've seen, but not bad for a first try. However, I do have a few issues:
#1) I hate the growth on the driftwood. I can't get rid of it. I'm looking at alternative decor so I can toss it.
#2) 2 Otos died. They were the healthiest looking and the most active for about a month. I was more concerned about the runt but he's fine. Not sure if I should get more of them or another species of algae eater.?
#3) All of the shrimp are dead . . . eaten. Of the 10 I purchased, I removed only half of the bodies. I'm not getting any more of them.
Anyway, help/ opinions/ comments are always appreciated.
Here's a pic;


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That looks good! I can't see the "growth" on your driftwood? Otos die when first introduced, they're often starved when they get to lfs, probably nothing you did. Shrimp? What fish do you have again?
 
That looks good! I can't see the "growth" on your driftwood? Otos die when first introduced, they're often starved when they get to lfs, probably nothing you did. Shrimp? What fish do you have again?

I scrubbed the stuff off before pic was taken but I'll post one of the growth later today.
The Otos were fat and very healthy looking at the time of purchase. They were eating and pooping regularly for almost 2 months. The one I have left was smaller than the other two and less active but now it's all over the place. It's as if the others were holding him back.
The shrimp were Ghost Shrimp.
Right now I have the one Oto, 4 Asian Glass Catfish, and 5 Cherry Barbs.



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Well . . . I chucked the driftwood; I got tired of scrubbing it. When I took it out, I noticed a foul smell like it was rotting. I've never noticed that smell before.
I went with Cryptocoryne wendtii and planted it today. I also replaced the two Otocinclus catfish that died. I'll post pics when I notice new plant growth. If they "melt" I'll just try something else. I've read that they're easy to grow with little light. I'll see.


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That wood looks like it could be grapevine. I tried it once & had weird growths (I can't remember what it looked like) & rotting. It really isn't for tanks long term, but my cherry shrimp thought it yummy.

Don't worry if your crypt leaves melt, as long as the roots are healthy it'll regrow. Just give it time & a root tab. Most all crypts are easy low-med light plants, I love them!
 
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