Brown Specs in Tank & plant dying.

[krismcewan]

Hi all Another newbie here.

I have been keeping fish now for about a year and have a small 30l tank with under gravel filter, Heater, box filter (for ammo chips) 5 neon tetras, 1 corydora, 2 algae eaters and 4 black phantom tetras.

over the past couple of months i have noticed little specs apearing in my little box filter (which hasnt any ammo chips in it at the moment just filter wool.)
On closer inspection these specs appear to be alive and alot of the tank ornaments are covered by them.

My Limophila Sessiflora plants have all but died off they seem to be rotting away. My other plant (cant remember its name) is thriving and fine.

I have also noticed a snail problem but i have been removing them by hand daily

My water changed 10L weekly. and is always cristal clear.
PH is 6.5
Nitrate is 20ppm
Nitrite is 0ppm
Ammonia is 0ppm

I have been over feeding the fish but cut them down considerably and have been filtering the gravel on a weekly basis (almost 30% of the gravel at a time)

Is anyone able to help me with my plants and to see if these brown specs are a problem thats easily treated.

on the plus side the fish seem happy

Thanks


Kris

[samuelgoh]

i suggest u take a pic of the "brown specs", it will be easier , much easier, for us to help you identify them then =)

[krismcewan]

isnt the best pic but i will try and get a better one later.

IMAGE_002.jpg

[Aeon]

Some kind of insect? I think I had them before but forgot how was it like.

[Jungle-mania]

Copepods? They look like the type of insects fish like to feed on, but I can't make positive identification as the picture is too small.

[krismcewan]

OK is this any better for you?