Well, my tank was perfect when I got back. My neighbor did exactly what the
instructions said and there were no problems. A lot of my sag and val and
crypts grew to the top of the tank and the dwarf ones multiplied and
thickened up like crazy. before i left, I added 2 Farowellas...either they
are really really good at eating algea, or the elimination of CO2 and the
light reduction did not allow algea to grow. there was not even the normal
amount on the glass when i got back

My clown loaches have a very small amount of ick..maybe 4 or 5 specks each.
no one else seems to have it. what should i do? i just noticed this as i
was writing. i did a water change this morning and started my CO2 again and
added some PMDD. that is it. there were no power losses while I was gone.
they are acting like they usually do, eating well and swimming all the time

thanks for the help.