i use water changes and i use a small wet dry (a medium sized tupperware with powerhead) i run this on a 5 gallon loading with poo and food so the amonia is always over 6
By bad tanks I mean ones I have screwed up, In com tanks with deep substate I have often allowed small colonies of tubifex worms to become established. I find them amusing. As I said before I use both overside filters, undergavel filters with fairly deep substate, and plants. The plants mainly polish the water and help flattenout the curves. By harveting and exporting the plants often I help remove excess organis and so help keep nitrogen product levels low. For sudden problems I believe the only cure is large immediate water changes but for maintanence I think the plante do help alot and I like the way they look. I know my way is not the only way and I am sure it is not the best way, but it works for me.
