Help With Tank Plants

[BethK]

I have 2 plants in my tank and I do not know what they are. I think they are both common freshwater plants, I picked them up at a local aquarium shop for £1.20 each. One has thin blades that twist round and the other one has thick leafs (sort of look like doc plants).

I noticed that without a heater in the tank, they were fine but as soon as a heater was added, they seem to be fading. I have taken one out and placed it in a cold water bowl today, to see if it perks up.

Have I done something wrong? And is there anything I can do to rectify it?

Thanks

x

 

[chunky monkey]

is it possible to take some pictures of the plants to help us identify them

 

[BethK]

Soz, my brother has pinched my camera for the day. However, if it helps, my two plants look exactly like these ones;

 

[chunky monkey]

the first one looks like twisted vallisnara the second one not to sure maybe java fern

 

[ian]

^^yep, i would agree. Are you feeding the plants anything?

 

[BethK]

^^yep, i would agree. Are you feeding the plants anything?

No

The LFS said you just put them in the tank, can I feed them anything whilst in with my fish?

 

[RadaR]

First one is twisted vallis however the second is hygrophila corymbosa.

Whether you provide nutrients to the plants and how much depends on how much light is over the tank and if you're providing Co2.
I'll assume you aren't adding any CO2 for them (except what the fish respire).
How much light is on the tank? Dimater of the bulb (t8, t5, compact t5)? Wattage?
And ofcourse the size of the tank.

Sounds like the LFS is assuming your tank is low tech with a decent population of fish. That assumption might be correct

 

[BethK]

Currently 18ltrs but moving up soon, I have a small light which is no more than 1 x 1 inch, filter and a 25w heater set at an even 24c.

 

[RadaR]

I have a small light which is no more than 1 x 1 inch

An LED?

 

[BethK]

I have a small light which is no more than 1 x 1 inch

An LED?

Yeah, it came with the tank, should I get a different light then?

Sorry if this sounds really noobish but i've never have live plants in a tank before.

 

[RadaR]

I have a small light which is no more than 1 x 1 inch

An LED?

Yeah, it came with the tank, should I get a different light then?

Hard to say because we cant tell what spectrum the LED is outputting.
For the upgrade to a larger tank I would get a better light. Have you seen these?
For the plants at the moment, it isn't temperature that's causing problems. It might well be the light (lack of it). Just perform water changes every few days to ensure the plants have the nutrients they need.

 

[BethK]

Thanks for that, will have a looksie and buy a better light.

I don't leave the light on much at all, maybe 1 or 2 hours a day. Should I leave it on for a longer period?

I have an 18ltr tank at the moment and change 2ltrs every 4 days.

 

[BethK]

Also, don't know if this means anything but the sticker on the plug says output is 12v

 

[RadaR]

Thanks for that, will have a looksie and buy a better light.

I don't leave the light on much at all, maybe 1 or 2 hours a day. Should I leave it on for a longer period?

I have an 18ltr tank at the moment and change 2ltrs every 4 days.

Yes leave the light on for much longer. 8hours a day.
Try 5litres every 4 days.

The 12V doesn't tell us what the light is emmitting. It's just what the transformer is reducing the 240V to from the socket in the wall.

 

[BethK]

Ahh, see I told you I know nothing

I'll up the water changing amount and leave the light on, lets see if it makes a difference.

Thank you for helping me xx