Healthy Plants?

[karawr]

Hi all,

New to plants and I've just bought my first bunch online. I don't know what to expect from shipped plants so I thought I'd check in here. All I know is brown = bad, green = good.

I bought x2 anubias eyes, x1 narrow leaf java fern. The anubias looks a little brown??

Now how do I go about planting them? I think the anubias I can tie to a log using hair net, but can I just plop the narrow leaf in the sand? Can someone clarify on "tie"? I was just thinking sit the anubias on the log and wrap a hairnet around it... or does it have to be tighter?

And how far dispersed will the anubias get? It's only got a couple leaves but I was hoping to get most of the top of my logs covered.

My light is 18" 15W T8 and I think 18,000K (20g tank) (I think it's aqua-glo fluorescent bulb by hagen). Is this OK?

Thanks all for the help.

 

[KittyKat]

Both of those need to have their rhizomes above substrate (read "tied to wood or rock" - I usually use nylon string, but some people use cotton or superglue). The Anubias does look a little abused, but it will recover with love and care

 

[StandbySetting]

Where did you order the plants from?

Both will need tying with cotton or super gluing to wood or rocks.

 

[karawr]

I bought them from aquatic magic, ebay.

Ohh super glue that sounds toxic. I will use some black thread and tie the java to a rock... and hairnet the anubias to my log.

 

[StandbySetting]

Super glue is safe, I've used it numerous times and it's a real pain in the behind trying to tie it on properly.

 

[Caprichoso]

I bought them from aquatic magic, ebay.

Ohh super glue that sounds toxic. I will use some black thread and tie the java to a rock... and hairnet the anubias to my log.

Super glue is more safe than thread. It's not toxic, don't worry. My specialty lfs use it all the time in their tanks to secure moss to bogwood. The thread will break down and your fish may ingest it, causing potential problems internally. If you must tie it with something, use fishing line. Once the rootlets take hold, cut the fishing line off and remove from the tank.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

I superglue mine, plus the water reacts with the glue and hardens it much quicker if it's still a little wet, if you use it just use a tiny amount.

 

[karawr]

Hmm does any type of superglue work?

And will the anubias thicken out a lot?

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Well I've used all sorts of superglue in the 8 years I've been keeping fish with no problems but like I say use a tiny amount as once in the tank turns slightly white. The Anubias will thicken out over time, it's very slow growing, mine grows quite quick but has CO2 and ferts added.

 

[karawr]

I wonder if I should use super glue so that I know the rhizome is firmly on the wood.

Should I pick off the leaves of the anubias? They look really sad. I don't know if they are needed there to grow or what... but surely it will grow new leaves?

 

[Caprichoso]

I wonder if I should use super glue so that I know the rhizome is firmly on the wood.

Should I pick off the leaves of the anubias? They look really sad. I don't know if they are needed there to grow or what... but surely it will grow new leaves?

You can pick the less desirable leaves off. All the energy will go to grow new ones then.

 

[karawr]

I wonder if I should use super glue so that I know the rhizome is firmly on the wood.

Should I pick off the leaves of the anubias? They look really sad. I don't know if they are needed there to grow or what... but surely it will grow new leaves?

You can pick the less desirable leaves off. All the energy will go to grow new ones then.

Lol all the leaves are undesirable right now. All very brown and crappy. Guess I'll have no leaves for now.

 

[ian]

these are really poor specimens, personally, i'd be mailing the seller and either wanting replacements or a refund.

 

[karawr]

Even the java? I know the anubias looks really poor...

Edit: I've emailed the seller so I'll see what happens. Won't these plants improve though? They were in the mail for 2 weeks... what should I expect from mailed plants? Greener, stronger leaves?

Should I purchase Seachem Flourish and Seachem Flourish Excel?

 

[KittyKat]

Edit: I've emailed the seller so I'll see what happens. Won't these plants improve though? They were in the mail for 2 weeks... what should I expect from mailed plants? Greener, stronger leaves?

Yes, they will, but it may take a long time, especially for the Anubias. Two weeks? That's unusually long..