BIg update time? Yup! Well, sort of, you'll see.
I finally heard back from the shrimp guru and they said to lower KH if possible and do smaller more INfrequent water changes. I have been wanting to cut my tap with RO anyways to make it a bit more normal so I've been doing that in my 55g barrel. But even at 50/50 within a day it's back to tap results! Seems impossible but there is some sediment type stuff (iron is my best guess as it is orange) stuck to the bottom of the barrel that I believe is leaching into the RO water. IMO no big deal, after a few rounds I think it will normalize. Water changes? I already do somewhat in frequent WCs so I will just make them smaller. They were concerned about nitrates but FYI my nitrates never get above 20 even with dosing.
Speaking of dosing... I have been dosing again but very lightly and irregularly nonetheless it has made a HUGE difference. Way less die off, new plantlets are coming in (instead of instantly dying as they were) and they are coming in with good colors again. Buce still hates me though, lots of BBA which I hit with metricide from time to time and no root growth whatsoever. Actually just found a chuck floating around that the plecos must have knocked off.
Speaking of plecos
Not growing as fast as I'd like (probably due to my infrequent WCs but I hear that isn't really an issue either as long as conditions are good...) but they are by far the biggest of the bunch. I don't see they fight too often but they certainly do fight when near each other. Maybe I will switched some guys around?
Speaking of switching guys around! I have not moved the danios over yet because I REALLY want to get a group of RCS separated out. I have the 20L that has been running empty for I don't know how long now that I will probably move them into. Can't do it right now though cause I got a BIG bamboo today and since the QT is occupied he had to go somewhere. He literally came into the store 3 hrs before I got there so it's kinda like getting it directly from the supplier but I don't get to see if he survives the first week or so being at LFS. *shrug* trade-offs. Considering he hasn't done his first molt since shipping I am hopeful. Also hopeful because 20 mins after adding him to the tank he was actually out fanning which none of them were doing in the stores. There was a really red one there that I decided not to get in case it was extra stressed or wouldn't t keep the color, was sitting away from the other ones and was always sitting a little sideways even when netted out but man he was pretty, regrets but I think it was the smartest choice. I also got a hygro kompact, I've always wanted it, killed it once, gonna try again.
BTW bamboo shrimp was $13 and potted hygro was $5, I thought they were very reasonable prices for LFS.
Picture time! I'm just gonna start from the oldest and work towards today. Disclaimer - I stopped cleaning my glass regularly lol.
Excuse my dirty overflow cover but I was taking pics of that super red RCS and thought this shot with the Amano was cool to show the size difference. (the new bamboo shrimp is even bigger!)
A different RCS, I only know it is different because it is smaller than the other one
Everyone get is the feeding bottle! Oh look the plecos can get along!
Best buddies!
Oh, nevermind lol
See the difference in their "bellies"? I've never had one look like the second guy here.
Berried female deep in the jungle
Quick no prep FTSs
My view from the couch
One of the super reds but the lights were low
Peekaboo Bamboo I didn't want to disturb him so I clicked the lights on for just a second to snap this poor picture and he proceeded to back up behind the rock so this is it for now.
I wanted to QT the plant a bit too (did a metricide dip too) but this tank just has a T8 only so I just put it super close to the surface. Took pot off but left rockwool for now cause this tank is rather clean. Looks really clean and nice though. Actually the whole store (Pet Supplies Plus) was nice and clean and no dead fish but strictly bread and butter fish.
Questions!
How long do you QT your plants? I don't want to leave it there long and kill it.
I have some decapped brine I can feed the bamboo but I will crush some community flakes and spirulina flakes for him too. What else can I supplement him in QT? The QT tank is just rocks and sand, pretty clean.
How long would you QT the bamboo? I know he will do MUCH better in my "dirty" planted tank but don't want to rush it either.
Upcoming changes
I will be removing some RCS, swapping some SRBNs, adding danios and doing some sort of rescape or clean-up (no I haven't done it yet, stop yelling at me).
EDIT: sneaky little shot I missed. Just showing the new baby crypts mostly
But I also see all sizes of babies all the time. I have to break down my 72g ASAP though and that requires the danios to be moved into here so buh bye babies and maybe all RCS. They immediately took to chasing the shrimp out of the plants, haven't seen an actual takedown yet but they will at least stress them to death. I tried to catch some shrimp beforehand but they did not cooperate. Breaking my heart but that's life, the danios will be fed well at least, right? (positive thoughts) Tried leaving the shrimp trap but the danios go right into it instantly and repeatedly, idiots lol. No pics of them cause...they are danios and I'm not that skilled lol. I will be adding some odd end senior fish to this tank too when the 72g gets broken down. 
