Thanks everyone.. First I had done tests with meds and salt and the salt did raise ph for what ever reason.. However I use very little mostly with guppies tanks (mentioned good for them???) At any rate all info here very much appreciated and printing it all out! I take a very long time with slow drip when I transfer fish from store to quarantine (get extra water from store, then put them in quarantine, and over day or even two or three depending on ph of store which is often very low, slowly drip in new water - have air stone and filter meanwhile). I was just worried that it ends up so high, and wasn't sure why... but have read before not a good idea to adjust it down, (but from tap really too low 5.3 sometimes so thought I had to bring that up) Woe, will try the air stone idea, read of that elsewhere but forgot it...(although I have too filters in aging water but not same???) Please let me know about hydroponic fertilizer. I was trying to avoid co2 injections, getting complicated here, and plants doing nicely, fully planted so not much room to grow in anyway, but may be interested in co2 stuff... Meanwhile, I found this site that has aquarium soil organisms or 'bugs'.. Person spoke to me at length, and theorized that my addition of liquid fertilizer based on New World Aquarium here in NYC telling me thats what my anubias and java ferns needed were probably adding too much nitrogen and phosphorus and overfeeding algae (is growing mildly on plants which I clean off with soft cloth. Plants are on wood attached to places with suction cups, or on rocks so easy to do and tough leaves) Therefore he mentioned that these soil bugs will keep all more in balance by competing with nitrogen and phosphorus element, reducing algae, and adding more co2 to the water... (due to there metabolism and enzymes) He mentioned ph would come down as a result of this. It seems to correlate with what I have read and you Woeisome have mentioned re lack of co2 driving ph up.... we shall see At any rate there products are for industrial use (large fish farms so on) and water industry, but product applicable for home tanks. Amazing photos of projects as well... Is it ok to post link here??? (http://www.biodigesters.net/aquarium-products.htm) This site where it is retailed for less (he referred me to it) explains it more as well. (http://www.thepetstop.com/fish_shop/Miscellaneous/BI-AQUA.html) Biodigesters microbes are reliable scavengers that thrive on organic mass (waste). As supplied they are in suspended animation (micro-encapsulated) but are revived when added to the tank. Shortly thereafter, they begin to digest excreta, excess food, oxidize ammonia, reduce nitrites, nitrates, and other N-Compounds and reduce odors. Biodigesters proprietary blend of all natural bio-cultures and enzymes have been selected for their ability to effectively digest/degrade extremely heavy concentrations of organic mass within an aquatic system. Addition Benefits of Biodigesters 1. Eliminate odors by digesting the organic bottom solids and the naturally occurring bacteria that produce odors. 2. Decrease oxygen requirements for oxidation of organic matter within the water column, thus increasing available oxygen for fish. 3. Reduce bottom solids by converting organic matter to carbon dioxide and water. 4. Eliminates glass and bottom scum by digesting algaes primary food source (nitrogen and phosphorus). As the algae dies from lack of food and is digested by the Biodigesters. 5. Improves water clarity and quality by digesting suspended organics in the water column. 6. Biodigesters, which do extend the life of a filtration system, mean lower maintenance costs and more effective optimization of water conditions. Well thanks again, fish seem to be doing ok, so will re-read, think about... print outs as my tonights reading, and go from there... I will be trying out this product as soon as I am able to order it... Best Sherry

you mean the live ones? or yard art? The itty bitty little snails smaller than a grape? for $1? How much cash ya got? My Christmas is paid for!!! I tried to PM you...no such thing and no email at your page. Lori

Thanks, KSWL, Pal, Cyn and MarinaPrivateEquityGal (as I shall henceforth remember you), I have decided they are, in fact, too cute. And I don't really do "cute". Truth is the ones I saw when I was doing my CT house were a little larger and had bicycles on them, and I really lusted after those even more. But. It does not fit. I have been thinking about my original "all or none" statement. If I tile this, I should tile it from counter to ceiling, in one simple field tile. Which then, leads me to the kitchen proper. I wanted to put tile in one swath above my range and up to my range hood. I have leftover white Subway Ceramic I thought id use. But I also had another idea... The built in cab in the kitchen --- the back of it is just wall. I was wondering about wallpaper, paint, fabric, but ... why not tile? So use all the same tile for these three spots - the BP sink wall, the range, and the large kitchen built in ?

Josh, no....didn't crush a leaf; I just assumed because it looks similar to me--the leaves. But then again I do not know my citrus since generally, I don't really grow citrus because I am allergic to many fruits. If you had to guess...what would it be? Hmm. Now I'm going to post it on the naming forum LOL!