Another thing i've found helpful in these situations.... boost the numbers of bactreia present in your tank. I have done this buy using a few scoops of gravel from an established tank. Or... take a nice mature sponge filter, and give a couple nice squeezes right into the filter box of your emporer. The problem with this is finding the stuff you need. You have any friends with established tanks? Rich ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is the apistogramma mailing list, apisto@listbox.com. For instructions on how to subscribe or unsubscribe or get help, email apisto-request@listbox.com. Search http://www.digital.com for "Apistogramma Mailing List Archives"!