Tank Two Scene; Quite a Delight, Less a Lack-luster Daphinia

[botia]

A ceramic filtration system -- the details of which I will not
disclose here -- is currently under development for the Atyopsis pair,
Caver and College -- designed and under construction by me. It may
take a number of attempts, given I know little of the process of
crafting ceramics, and the first model ready to fire in about a week.
Meanwhile the plastic bottle make shift, is still operating at
satisfactory levels, less a slight surge in pH. My guess is that the
plastic filtration cartridge will last much longer than the natural
sponge, as well longer than the cloth version.
The Daphinia population has dropped significantly, and I suspect
that the snails demand coupled with less food available, the underlying
reason. Without a good water filtration, as the natural sponge
function, I can't input so much biomass without a nitrite/nitrate, and
pH spike, and though a intense harvesting of Physa spec young underway,
the snails compete for the Daphinia food source. I assume that the
filtration under construction will accommodate all parties involved,
and the Daphinia will once again thrive once the new filtration goes
on-line. As it stands College and Caver are thriving, as well the
Macrophytes. One of the Macrophytes I misidentified as Submerged
Macrophytes when in fact it Emergent Macrophytes. This error was made
obvious, as I watched it grow, out of the water. If I am ever moved
to, by sense or request; I shall make a more refined identification of
the Tank Two flora. Damn pet stores, and their knee jerk labels.
Present parameters; Tank Two is a 30 gallon tank holding about 17
gallons of fresh water with about two tea spoons of Dr. Wells
freshwater aquarium salt, pH 7.6 and stable. Iodine added 2 drops
every week. Carbonate hardness of 3.5. and stable, water temp 25c.
Daphinia population small and unstable. Blood worms population small
and stable. Hydra population small and growing. Common water Snails
small and stable, increased harvesting in effect. Cyclops population
small and stable. Java ferns (4) stable and growing. Java moss (four
bunches) stable and barely growing. Amazon swords (2) flora stable and
growing. Lotus (1) flora stable and rapidly growing. UnID "Spout"
grass flora, present and growing slowly. UnID "I" worms population
small and stable.