[Todd L]

Thanks Ryan,

I knew at some point I'd need to get better testing kits....not sure why I was holding off!

Anyway.....went to my LFS and picked up a phosphate kit....I already have a nitrate and ammonia....I only have used them ocassionally.
I tested the phosphate and it's about .5, so yes..... a tad high!! Nitrates test at about 5, which for me at this point sans anything hyper sensitive to nitrates seems acceptable.

I put a phosphate sponge in, and am about to do a water change.

I started talking to the owner of the LFS though. We were trying to figure out why the sudden spike in phosphates, as it was evident to her as well as you guys here that this is the issue.
She seems to think the upgrade in lighting really only sparked what was already there to bloom, and asked me how often I feed the fish.
I'd read somewhere...I thought a few times....that they should be fed often, a few times a day, a little bit at a time. That's what I've been doing! She strongly suggested I feed them maybe once every other day? Once a day at most?
I just assumed I guess they needed several feedings......what do you suggest? Anyone?
I can't believe all this time if she is correct (and I have no reason to doubt her) I've been massively overfeeding??? YOW!!

Thoughts?? was I really that big a bonehead???