u/ExcitementNorth2427

Hello! I have been in the hobby for around 3 years now. I started with a 10 gallon synthetic plant tank and have since moved to a 20 gallon.

My current tank set up (this was cycled properly also)
- fluval stratum substrate (added 5 months ago) and waterlogged driftwood
-20 gal filter and heater, thermometer with tank is 79°, hygger 18w LED light set for 6 hours a day
- fertilizer tabs UNDER the substrate and plants replace every 3 months
- I have 3 guppies, 2 panda garras, 5 tetras, and an assassin snail
- I do regular 25% water changes around once a month and a 50% water change only if the nitrates are higher or if there’s a new fish
- after checking the water just now my parameters are at
Nitrate: 20 ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Total hardness: 150ppm
Total alkalinity: Low
Ph: low

I have always struggled with a low pH especially since adding the substrate so I have some crushed up coral in the filter but it still runs low.

Here is my problem: I cannot keep a plant in there for the life of me.

I’ve tried with all the beginner plants that you can imagine a local freshwater store would recommend me but they all turn yellow and slowly die.
Right now I have a sword plant and two Anubis that are not at all thriving.
I know so many other casual freshwater tank enthusiasts like myself who are able to have thriving tanks. I’d love to one day have a tank that is super lush but I’ve just run out of ideas on how to even keep one plant alive. I really do not want to go high tech by adding a co2 tank so please if you have any ideas let me know!

Hi! I’m 24f , I was diagnosed with endometriosis of my bowel around 6months ago after dealing with years of pain and doctors telling me it was just IBS. Last year I was also finally treated for a stomach ulcer and SIBO that (I theorize) was caused by my endometriosis. I was given an IUD (Loretta? Loritta?) by my gyno around march 14th that has since resulted in me having excruciating cramps, painful intercourse, bladder pain, nausea, weight gain, insane bloating, an irritable bowel and lots of spotting. I got an Endoscopy last week where my GI told me everything looked fine and it seemed like my pain related more with my endometriosis.

I relayed this to my gyno yesterday and here is what I was told:

she has no idea what could be causing the pain that my GI doctor figured was my endometriosis.
she doesn’t believe in doing laparoscopic surgeries for removal or an MRI because either may not detect or improve my symptoms so it’s not worth perusing.
She wants to see me again in 4 months once the IUD settles and maybe put me on an additional oral birth control pill

Am I crazy or is she crazy and what do I even do now. My family and partner says I should find a new doctor but I don’t know if the outcome would be different, I’m a bit exhausted from the whole endeavor.

My tank is determined to die and I am ready to give up. Please help me

My gyno told me there’s nothing she can do. What do I do now??