Thank you all for your input. I don't think the fish pecking it will be a problem. They only pecked at it occasionally when it barely reaches the water. Now that its fully submerged they tend to ignore it.



And i know roots don't do well in light which is why my new cover will have the vertical lights on the opposite end of the tank from the roots

[attachment=o279590] :stoned:

I think the fish waste has everything to do with it. The water is full of nitrates, beneficial bacteria, and trace elements. The bottom of the aquarium has organic soil, covered in sand. I did this to help the plants in the aquarium by increasing the co2. As the organic soil is broken down by the anaerobic bacteria it releases co2. Now that i think about it maybe i shouldn't put fans in and just use a bunch of cfls (to keep the temperature down). It would then be a completely closed system. With co2 being added by the soil and the fish and used by the plants. And the O2 being added by the plants and used by the fish. This would also make it easier to contain the smell, at least as long as i don't open the cabinet doors to the grow box.