Hikari wafers are protein based. The gel food has brine shrimp, daphnia and bloodworm in it along with veggies and spirulina. I can certainly increase protein foods, though.

The pH holds at 7.6. The kh and gh range from 6 to 8. Phospate ranges from .25 to .5.

As for feeding, that's complicated. I had the cories, other fish and fry to consider. Hope this makes sense...

Noon daily...gel based food, rotating flavor/variety every 5 days, enough to fill water column long ...

No bubbles detected. I've found trumpet snails in there on occasion...hitchhikers. Shouldn't they assist with stirring up the substrate?

Additionally, I do vac deep into the gravel. I have a smaller nozzle on the siphon and try to plant in clumps spaced so the nozzle can fit in between. I still ...

No. I use a half dose of Excel 6 days per week instead.

I have a layer of small, smooth natural-colored gravel over a thicker layer of eco complete.

I love cory cats. I started with 4 peppered cats. They were fine for 3-4 months before they slowly dropped dead one by one. No outward signs of disease or damage. The bodies had a reddish look to the bellies.

After the peppers were gone, we tried again with albinos. Same darn deal. Fine for months ...