Growing Roots?

[jpeterson]

Are they growing roots even though they are out of the substrate? I believe they are Limnophila aquatica plants. Here are the pics of what I think are roots!

 

[Ben M]

yes, it's perfectly normal for them to grow roots above the substrate.

 

[jpeterson]

Awesome! Do they look healthy enough? I have just put some sera root tabs in the substrate will this help them or do they benefit more from liquid as they are stem plants?

 

[Ben M]

yes, they look healthy.

what is your tank size, wattage of lighting, type of lighting (T5, T8 etc) and do you inject co2?

cheers

 

[jpeterson]

My tank is 164l(39"(L) x 16"(W) x 16"(D)), My lighting is T5 and 39W, i have two bulbs, 1 tropical pro and 1 plant pro bulb. I do not run co2 but would love to. I also have some Ceratopteris thalictroides and they are going a bit brownish. I hope the tabs help that, if not what else can i do to help the Ceratopteris thalictroides.

 

[Ben M]

hi, i would use liquid ferts personally, i don't know that root tabs contain enough nutrients on their own. a good liquid fert is TPN+, which is sold on aqua essentials and fluid sensor online. is the lighting 39w per bulb (i'm guessing so, as i've never seen a 19.5w bulb). if so, you have decent lighting, so with good ferts and co2 (although the co2 isn't compulsory) your plants could grow really well.

cheers

 

[jpeterson]

Yes it 39w per bulb Ill get a liquid fert ordered. What would CO2 do for the tank? I want to try it but if its going to be a fuss then i would rather wait till i get my 60l tank and try it on that as obv smaller is easier with co2, not so many 2l pop bottles needed

 

[Ben M]

TBH, i don't really know much about co2, as i've never used it, although would like to in the near future. basically, to grow, plants need nutrients, light and co2. so if you have good lighting and ferts, but not much co2, then that will limit the growth of your plants. and if you had lots of lighting and co2, but not ferts it would limit their growth. so co2 makes your plants grow faster and better.

if you'd like more info on dosing co2 then it'd be best to wait for someone who doses co2 to help, as i'm not of much use in that area.

HTH

 

[jpeterson]

Ok, the plants that need co2(as i know there is a lot don't) may go in the 60l and ill give it a try in there. The main thing is keeping them alive in the tank they are in now. I have tried looking for TPN+ and can't find it. Could you maybe link me please?

 

[Ben M]

all plants need co2, it's just that some can grow fine on the co2 that is already in the water, whereas some demand extra co2.

here is a link to TPN+ http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/tropica-plant-nutrition-500ml-p-1038.html

BTW, make sure you get the TPN+ not the TPN, as the TPN hasn't got all of the necessary nutrients.

cheers

 

[jpeterson]

*pain in chest* wow can't believe i just spent that much for some plants. * collapses*

 

[RadaR]

Ok, the plants that need co2(as i know there is a lot don't)

Some plants are more demanding than others when it comes to CO2 and nutrients however, their needs are predominantly dictated by how much light you have. Less light = less demand.
With 2x39W t5 over 164litres I'd expect the plants to be demanding CO2. 2litre bottles wont be enough and it would be unstable.
You could eliminate the need to inject CO2 if lots of floating/covering plants were introduced.
If you haven't seen low/unstable CO2 related algae or carbon deficienies then I wouldnt worry and I would just carry on.