New Aquarium set up. I set this up around two weeks ago using a couple of inches of organic potting soil as a substrate and aquarium gravel over that to contain the potting soil.  I added a mix of rain water and water from an aged aquarium and using a small canister filter.  I also added a 1/8th cup of crushed coral to the substrate to provide some water hardness.  I only have the aquarium about 1/3 full of water and have planted the aquarium.  I do this to hopefully reduce algae growth and to allow the plants to grow emergent foliage to take advantage of atmospheric CO2.  I am using a 4 foot 6 bulb T-5 HO light unit over two 10 gallon aquariums using a 6 hour light period followed by a 4 hour mid day dark period followed by another 6 hour light period and then dark for 8 hours.  The other Aquarium I started 8 months ago but instead of potting soil I used the ADA product Amazonia aquarium soil with a covering of aquarium gravel.  I planted primarily Cryptocoryn species.  As the plants grew I added more aged water from my established aquarium and eventually added Cherry Red Shrimp and 6 Celestial Pearl Danios.  I added the shrimp first and allowed them to establish themselves and then the fish.  I believe the CPD's are feeding on the new born cherry shrimp.  I have seen a few CPD fry.  I've added Cambomba, water lettuce and duck week in hopes of providing some cover for the young fish.  Snails from the plants have really taken over.

The aquarium at one year.

UV Sterilizer.