Just joined the forum, and will probably join NANFA as soon as I get done perusing all the different things to see here. My name is Steve, I'm 48 and a native Texan. I've had aquariums of one sort or another since I was old enough to pronounce FISH! Never even thought about collecting native species. It sounds like a wonderful hobby. I worked in a couple of tropical fish stores as a teenager, that was a learning experience. I currently have a 55 gallon tank, that is on the verge of becoming an algae farm. I have one rather large pleco in it right now, and nothing else. I sort of got complacent about the tank here lately, so it would be a good time to start over with a clean slate.

I can't figure out why I have the algae bloom all of a sudden, the only thing I've changed is the light fixture(same bulbs) and a new Marineland out side filter, with the Bio Wheels(never had them before). So with a little help from you fine people I hope to set up a nice native tank. I bought new gravel to replace the stuff I've had in there for probably 15 years! I bought the pea gravel type stuff, but if that's not what y'all recommend I can change it. In other words I'm looking for guidance in setting up my tank for native species. I have a test kit,(and I even know how to use it ) so I can check things out as I go.

Well enough questions for now, I can probably get more answers searching the forum than trying to ask everything right here. Thanks for listening, and I'm glad I found the site.

Welcome aboard.

Welcome! You could try shortening the time the light is on. Unless the tank is in the basement or something, you could even turn it off unless you are looking at it. The pleco shouldn't mind being in dim light for awhile.