Help With My Plants Please

[golfzzin]

I have a few plants in my tank, java fern, elodea and moss balls.

The moss balls are doing very well, but the java fern and elodea not so. The elodea is growing really well and quick, but the colour isn't great. The java fern had black bits when i brought it and at the time i thought this was the norm. It seems that this plant must have brought something into the tank as i have found black algea on my driftwood (although this has wiped off very easy). Today i have done a big overhaul on the tank and trimmed the java fern right down, any leafs with black ends have gone, and leafs that had little brown dots under them (not sure what these were, but it didnt look right) have also gone, i must have trimmed 3/4's of the plant off, and it looks much better for it, all green leafs now

So, how do i keep it this way and avoid that black algea? I want to start using ferts but dont want to go mental with it all as i wont be getting many more real plants for a while.

Thanks

 

[golfzzin]

Ok my elodea is dying now, what cant i keep easy plants alive

 

[Sharpy14]

Try Co2 Matt if you want to make a little investment: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/212550-fire-extinguisher-co2/

Chris

 

[stu40]

what temp is your tank at? Elodea is more of a coldwater plant.Above 25° it will suffer

 

[Tizer]

the spots under teh leaves on the ferns are quite natural, if you look at them the spacing is quite even. They propogate by growing plantlets on the end of dead leaves, they then rot and fall off and the plantlets continue to grow. Not all leaves will do this.

 

[golfzzin]

Try Co2 Matt if you want to make a little investment: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/212550-fire-extinguisher-co2/

Chris

Been thinking about Co2 Chris, not sure on the fire extinguisher jobbie though, i would always be expecting it to explode

what temp is your tank at? Elodea is more of a coldwater plant.Above 25° it will suffer

tank varies from 25 - 26.5, hmmm might have to rethink it then as i dont want to lower the temp

the spots under teh leaves on the ferns are quite natural, if you look at them the spacing is quite even. They propogate by growing plantlets on the end of dead leaves, they then rot and fall off and the plantlets continue to grow. Not all leaves will do this.

i did notice the even spacing and thought it was odd, even so, every leaf with that i chopped off

Thanks for all the replys guys

 

[communitytank75]

My planted 75 gallon been doing excellent without any co2 ...and i have some java too and its natural to have some brown dots or so..and make sure to check what level of lighting your plants need..just dont buy plants by the look of it..some plants require a little light but some requires heavy lights..and your lighting set up may not support all..which will end with dead leafes ..i will post my tank picture soon

 

[Aquamaniac]

I use pressurized co2 myself.Not a fire extiguisher i bought it new and ready to use in my tank.
I do understand your worries about your plants but before you start spending money on the co2 adventure ask yourself.

DO YOU REALLY NEED IT?

Ok plants need:

Light
CO2
Fertilizers

Question you should ask:

DO I NEED CO2 IN MY SETUP

There's two types of tanks

High and Low tech

What does this mean?

HIGH TECH

Lots of light
pressurized co2
lots and good fertilization
More expensive to keep

LOW TECH

Low light
No CO2 or other forms of CO2 not pressurized.There are kits of CO2 for sale or you could try the baking soda formula.
No fertilization or Low fertilization
This tank is off course quite cheaper to maintain and you can still have a heavy planted tank if you keep to the less demanding plants.

If you add the Pressurized CO2 as it was suggested be prepared to add more light and fertilizing to the mix. Because if you just add one of the three your plants will not grow that much what will definitely grow is algae.

From your post and i got the idea you only want to keep some plants and are not quite experienced yet for a high tech tank.If that is the case i sugest you get some easy plants and save yourself the money and trouble for when you are more experienced.

The LOW-TECH is a good way for starters.

 

[Sharpy14]

Great explanation!

I use pressurized co2 myself.Not a fire extiguisher i bought it new and ready to use in my tank.
I do understand your worries about your plants but before you start spending money on the co2 adventure ask yourself.

DO YOU REALLY NEED IT?

Ok plants need:

Light
CO2
Fertilizers

Question you should ask:

DO I NEED CO2 IN MY SETUP

There's two types of tanks

High and Low tech

What does this mean?

HIGH TECH

Lots of light
pressurized co2
lots and good fertilization
More expensive to keep

LOW TECH

Low light
No CO2 or other forms of CO2 not pressurized.There are kits of CO2 for sale or you could try the baking soda formula.
No fertilization or Low fertilization
This tank is off course quite cheaper to maintain and you can still have a heavy planted tank if you keep to the less demanding plants.

If you add the Pressurized CO2 as it was suggested be prepared to add more light and fertilizing to the mix. Because if you just add one of the three your plants will not grow that much what will definitely grow is algae.

From your post and i got the idea you only want to keep some plants and are not quite experienced yet for a high tech tank.If that is the case i sugest you get some easy plants and save yourself the money and trouble for when you are more experienced.

The LOW-TECH is a good way for starters.

 

[golfzzin]

My planted 75 gallon been doing excellent without any co2 ...and i have some java too and its natural to have some brown dots or so..and make sure to check what level of lighting your plants need..just dont buy plants by the look of it..some plants require a little light but some requires heavy lights..and your lighting set up may not support all..which will end with dead leafes ..i will post my tank picture soon

Looking forward to seeing your tank, thank you for the advise

I use pressurized co2 myself.Not a fire extiguisher i bought it new and ready to use in my tank.
I do understand your worries about your plants but before you start spending money on the co2 adventure ask yourself.

DO YOU REALLY NEED IT?

Ok plants need:

Light
CO2
Fertilizers

Question you should ask:

DO I NEED CO2 IN MY SETUP

There's two types of tanks

High and Low tech

What does this mean?

HIGH TECH

Lots of light
pressurized co2
lots and good fertilization
More expensive to keep

LOW TECH

Low light
No CO2 or other forms of CO2 not pressurized.There are kits of CO2 for sale or you could try the baking soda formula.
No fertilization or Low fertilization
This tank is off course quite cheaper to maintain and you can still have a heavy planted tank if you keep to the less demanding plants.

If you add the Pressurized CO2 as it was suggested be prepared to add more light and fertilizing to the mix. Because if you just add one of the three your plants will not grow that much what will definitely grow is algae.

From your post and i got the idea you only want to keep some plants and are not quite experienced yet for a high tech tank.If that is the case i sugest you get some easy plants and save yourself the money and trouble for when you are more experienced.

The LOW-TECH is a good way for starters.

Fantastic Really appreciate your post. Think i may save my money for now and just go with easy plants