My minnow tank has had a couple issues with it.

The first is since i killed off the algea (and sadly a few fish died with it) the plants rapidly took over. My 20 long is almost as small room wise as a 5 gallon.



The second happened today when I came home from my trip to the north. The tank light was very very dim and only lit at the corners and the light hood was hot to the touch. I turned it off to be safe.

Trim back the plants and use the cuttings for another tank or just throw them out. I wish I could get mine to grow like that.

Does the light in question have a filament-type bulb, or is it fluorescent? I would first replace the bulb and carefully wipe the socket(s) where it attaches. My guess is that you have a ground there between the two wires, probably as a result of water splashing up from the filter. It's possible that there's a problem with the wiring, but that seems less likely since the light was still lit and didn't trip a breaker or catch fire. If bulb replacement and socket cleaning doesn't correct the problem I would next open the fixture and look for a loose wire which might have been arcing.

Those plants are using up excess nutrients like nitrates in your tank water. I trim when I do water changes as needed.

another thing....do you have substrate? when you come to my house tomorrow maybe you can get a better idea of how i setup my tanks and it can give you some pointers

another thing....do you have substrate? when you come to my house tomorrow maybe you can get a better idea of how i setup my tanks and it can give you some pointers

Yes, the aquarium gravel is substrate. the hanging roots grow off the stems in an odd effect.