[Deep gravel or sand bed]

I have been topping up with DI water and that totally stabilized my pH, KH and GH. I think the problem was my tap water. I will still do about monthly water changes to try to account for any build up of chemicals or ions I am not testing for, but it is not going to be because my parameters are wacky. Thank you so much for your helpful and constructive advice. I really appreciate you!

[Deep gravel or sand bed]

Is anyone else running deep gravel or sand beds in heavily planted tanks Ocean Aquariums style? If so can we talk about our experiences with water chemistry? I am running 3-6 inches of gravel in my 10 gallon aquarium and it is heavily planted. It processes nitrates like a beast so I almost never do water changes. However my KH and GH are rising, and my pH when left to its own devices is high. I don't know why these things are happening. I suspect there is some contribution from my tap water quality, but I wanted to see if anyone else is running deep gravel beds and talk about it . 

[tetra with lip growth-Please help me]

I am re-entering the hobby after a 7 year hiatus. I am new to planted tanks. I have a 10 gallon planted tank with 3 amano shrimp, 2 nerite snails, 2 blue Neocaridina shrimp, and 7-> 6 neon tetras. The planted tank has been set up since May 3rd. Two of my tetras had a white small growth on their lips. What is it and how do I treat it?

 

My fish tank parameters:

10 gallon tank below with some modifications to the sump style filter to contain bio rings and course filter pads. Also running an air stone

https://www.marinedepot.com/nuvo-fusion-10-pro-aio-10-gallon-aquarium-bundle-innovative-marine?utm_source=mdcsegooglebase2&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=mdcsegooglebase2&utm_content=0I6922&gclid=CjwKCAiA7939BRBMEiwA-hX5JxIvsFxiZ4cA0YRB6l-1U8y4UsWjc2oMklPXvQTqWz4xHgT3Z1PohxoCsCEQAvD_BwE&

Heavily planted

Contains wood decoration

Deep gravel bed (3-5”) for nitrate disposal

Temp: 76-78 degrees, usually 78 (eheim adjustable heater)

Nitrates: 7

Nitrite: 0

Ammonia: 0

KH: 90 ppm

GH: 107 ppm

pH: 7.5-7.6

 

3 of the tetras I had since 5/24 and the other 4 since 10/4. I put the old fish through 2 rounds of meds (the trio recommended by aquarium coop) when I got them. I put the new fish through 2 rounds of meds in quarantine (~6 weeks of quarantine) when I got them. I added the new fish to my old tank 11/17.  Then one of the old tetras got the growth on his lip. A day after I noticed the growth it started breathing faster. 1 day later I found him dead. One of the new tetras has had a similar looking lip since I got it. However it is eating well and behaving normally so I did not think it was a problem. Looks like I was very wrong. The lip abnormality on the new fish did not respond to the two rounds of med trio. What do I do now? Salt? Repeat med trio? Other Meds? If I use salt do I need to remove all my plants to prevent them from dying? I am so afraid all my fish will die. 

 

Enclosed are pics of the old tetra with the lip growth 1 day prior to death, and a picture after death. I could not get pics of the new fish with the lip growth because he is a fast little bugger. Also pictures of my aquarium for context. 

[Accidentally popped the bulb off my dwarf aquarium lily]

Thank you! I kept the bulb and I bet it will grow again with enough time. @ange

[Accidentally popped the bulb off my dwarf aquarium lily]

I had a dwarf aquarium lily that was growing very well. One day during maintenance I accidentally popped the bulb off the big vegetative growth/roots. I thought the big growth with roots would die, but it is fine and putting out new leaves. Its been at least 3 months. Is this normal? Will it grow another bulb?