We are nearing the end of the era of algae! Already the mexican turbos are able to cut huge swaths clean daily. The skimmer is going nuts producing nasty thick brown skimmate, and the cyano is peeling off surfaces and making a desperate bid for life by heading for the surface, where I promptly remove it with a net.

Next month should work out just fine for adding the next batch of life. I want to find a good local store for this one, I think. Last time I used liveaquaria.com, since a build-your-own package shipped free if you ordered more than $60 worth of creepy crawlies. The selection on that package is limited, however, and I want some more interesting life-forms this time around. Not that my snails and crabs and starfish aren't interesting... just very mundane.

I'll probably end up with a couple of shrimp, more snails (I can't get enough mexican turbos), and possibly a small fighting conch.

The next decision is what fish I'll end up with. I know I want a maroon clown, but I intend to add him last, since they are territorial. Clowns are actually damselfish pretending to be cute... then you move in with them and they start beating you when dinner is late. I'm on to them, though, they get whatever space is left after my more reasonable inhabitants settle in.

Water quality remains stable -- last test revealed only a very slight nitrate reading, which is complicated by the fact that although the liquid does turn an appropriate color shade, it's always darker or lighter than the comparison card shade. This drives me up the wall. One day I will shell out the money to try some other brands of testing supplies.

One awesome thing (really, the only awesome thing) about being on a very limited budget is that it does force you to take your time. Otherwise, the temptation to buy new life too soon is just far too great -- even those "experts" who tell you not to do it fall into the trap themselves. If anyone ever tells you they've never added animals too soon, they lie.