[IMG]C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\My Pictures\fish pics\p1010008[/IMG] Bob, thanks for the reply. I think i correctly identified this plant, but if i didnt please correct me. I spent 1 1/2 days this last weekend raking as much out as i could. My back is still "complainin". I also put the last treatment of crystal plex in yesterday. it appears that either the crystal plex is begining to work or the "muddy" looking build-up is killing the top portion of the chara. but i thought of another question. what happens to it as it dies? does it sink or does it break off and float off? or does it just turn brown and stay the same.