Honestly, I preferred the grammas too. I tried a pair of Orchid Dottybacks years ago in a reef tank, and one harassed the other to death. I think a harem could work, but I'd want to get at least six fish to spread out aggression. But they're too expensive for my blood, so I was planning to only get four, which would still be pricier than six grammas. KP ships Monday and Tuesday, so I guess I'll get them Tuesday or Wednesday.
I've been keeping an eye on that sponge and it has stayed small, thankfully. I want to encourage sponge growth, but not at the expense of my favorite plant.
I enjoyed the mangroves for over two years, so I'm not too bummed. I was happy to share my experience. I think that if I had maintained CO2 injection without gaps in production, they might have made it to the surface. After all, the main reason for aquatic plants to grow above the water surface is to get to CO2 in the air. If I ever try them again, I think I'd use the other method of suspending them, which would encourage prop root growth. If I could fabricate something to suspend them from above the water line, then you wouldn't see it, so it wouldn't look hideous. I'm still bummed by all the photos from v1, with the blue rubber bands holding macros onto my fake roots, which didn't work anyway.
