[QUOTE=collins;537055]thanks for all your comments and attention. I will certainly try to cycle a new tank without using test fish. Somehow i still find aquarium a cruel hobby for fish ... they eventually die due to various reasons at some point of time, be it disease, mental unhappiness, lack of care, fericous tankmate, technical error in water management, countless fishes are discarded for selective breeding, dozens die during transportation and fish shop ... all casualties created by the demand of hobbists who love fish... ironic isn't it? Nonetheless, at least we should endeavour to minimize the loss whenever possible.

Back to the topic of the planted tank.
To quidorz: shall i trim hairgrass right after i planted them or wait for it to stablize? now the hairgrass is extending runner at steady pace. Is trimming it to half length sufficient?

You can trim the hairgrass after you planted them, just trim of the top part not half of it, Maybe 0.5 - 1cm will be good. That is from my past experience, i am not sure if that will work for you, but my started to creep after a while.

Hope that helps.