***???

[Haeun]

Well, if you're interested in planted tanks too, check out SCAPE. A member in SD has mass quantities of ferts for helluva lot cheaper than Greg Watson (especially after the price raise a while back). Like ~$1-2/lbs or something. And a lb probably lasts you a year, or so (varies with tank size and light).

Driftwood can get pricey if you get from LFS. Give Manzanita Bulworks a try; they send a box of wood for around $30 shipped.
But for plants, ask around with local hobbyists. Many give away or sell for cheap their trims. I usually give away rotalas for free.

Also, if your plant mass is low right now, keep the lighting period low too, maybe 5 hours.

[EncoreDon]

Spot at tri city tropicals has a lot of that mossy stuff growing on egg crate, great ground cover and it grows fast and sells fast

[Dakota]

Spot at tri city tropicals has a lot of that mossy stuff growing on egg crate, great ground cover and it grows fast and sells fast

but I live in Ventura

anyway.. I'll worry about stabilizing the system first (ferts, assuming I can find them.). I'll have to see if I can find locals here with planted tanks for donate/sell some trimmings .