First Live Plants In Tank

[David J]

Hi

I have just added 2 jungle val and 2 crypts to my tank which is at the end of a fishless cycle. No fish yet. They come on Friday. Currently, I have not planted the plants into the sand but just placed them on top of the sand until I can decide where to plant them. I will be adding more plants than this in the coming days but just wanted a few to start to get an idea of how it will look.

Regarding the jungle val and crypts I added, there are 2 leaves on the val that were slightly brown when I got them and they have gotten browner. I have read that the leaves can go brown but that it doesn't necessarily mean they are dead leaves. The crypts look fine although a couple of leave do seem to be kind of breaking up (melting?).

Sometimes my ammonia and nitrite reads zero after 12 hours but sometimes, like this mornings results, it takes 13/14 hours. This mornings result was 0.25ppm for both ammonia and nitrite.

Could / will the brown/melting leaves be causing a rise in ammonia? Realistically, how long can I leave the plants unplanted? I was intending on planting them properly this Thursday when I do my water change.

Many thanks,

David

 

[Ps3Steveo]

They'll be fine for a short while but all plant prefer to anchor, the Crypts more than likely melting due to change of environment and the Vallis I'd get rid of the brown leaves.

 

[David J]

Hi
 
Thanks.  I'll get rid of the brown leaves ASAP.  I have ordered Neutro T which should arrive shortly.  I might bring my water change forward to Wednesday if I can get time but probably have to wait until Thursday.
 
How much of a contribution to the ammonia in the tank do you think dead leaves make?  I will routinely remove them from now on but it would be good to have an idea because i have been monitoring the water so closely and like to know what is affecting what.
 
Thanks

David

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Providing you keep on top of it the amount prob wont show on test kit.

 

[David J]

Added neutro t tonight for the first time. Tomorrow is time for the big water change to ready the tank for fish on Friday. I will be planting the plants in the sand tomorrow night while the tank is almost empty and will remove any brown leaves before planting.

How do I plant them? Is it just a case of making sure the roots are under the sand or should part of the plant but under also? I am totally new to planting so would really appreciate some help. Same question for jungle val and crypts.

Thanks

David