how much are aquatic plants dependent on "nature" for survival???

[anewbie]

It's Plant CO2 daily carbon boost from Interpet. It's supposed to be good for red plants but mine all died so it didn't help those!!

I'm not sure what it contains but quite frankly i would not waste my money on that product (again).

Do you have hard or soft water - is your water alkaline or acidic ?

 

[MrsShrimp]

I'm not sure what it contains but quite frankly i would not waste my money on that product (again).

Do you have hard or soft water - is your water alkaline or acidic ?

It's very hard water and I think it's alkaline. The PH level was high at 8.5 but I have managed to get it down by using PH Down every water change.

 

[anewbie]

It's very hard water and I think it's alkaline. The PH level was high at 8.5 but I have managed to get it down by using PH Down every water change.

ph down is another product you should avoid as a waste of money. The water chemistry is what it is and ph down is just playing with the ion but not removing the calcium.

To be honest i'm not sure which plants like hard water as i mostly deal with extremely soft water but i would look for plants that do well in hard water (I think there are a few crypts native to hard alkaline water - also central america plants where there is a lot of calcium from limestone in the water).

 

[MrsShrimp]

Thanks for this valuable advice . The ph down wasn't cheap either. I won't waste my money again. I have to keep buying plants to replace those that die so I will see of I can find the type you suggest to try. Thanks again

 

[anewbie]

Thanks for this valuable advice . The ph down wasn't cheap either. I won't waste my money again. I have to keep buying plants to replace those that die so I will see of I can find the type you suggest to try. Thanks again

A quick search (can't comment on accuracy); crypt wendtii brown (i don't love this plant - i much prefer the green variety but not sure if it will do well); vals (these are not bad plants if you like the look i'll attach an aquarium i had with vals); hygrophila corymbosa - confused by this selection as it grows well in my blackwater tank but if it does well in hard water it is a nice look leafy green plant - i really like this plant.

Look at this thread; it has a lot of very good options

Which plants in hard water?

Hello, I have a rather hard water °GH : 17, pH : 7.1, °KH : 12, NO2 : 0, NO3 : 19 ppm I have a strong lighting power, I inject co2 at 30 ppm, daily fertilization, I have the following plants in the aquarium Plant that grow well : Rotala Rotundifolia Bacopa moonirie Reineckii mini hygrophila...

www.ukaps.org

(if you look at that thread ignore the plants that require co2 injection as some of the folks are suggesting plants which they use co2 inejction (gas)); i highly recommend you avoid going that route as it creates a new can of worms.


ALso here is an aquarium i have with vals; the long leafy plant on the right are vals; the stuff stuck on the surface is hornworth (which I think does well in hard water) the pleco on the sponge on the right is a L204 (flash pleco); the problem with val is i was sloppy about cutting the leaves when they get long (you can cut them and they will keep growing); and eventually it would reach one side and double back making a visible mess but the fishes love the that mess for hiding.

 

[MrsShrimp]

Wow, that does look superb! I have something similar to vals and they look like they're about ready to give up altogether. I wonder if they're not getting enough light. I will try to send a pic later.
Thanks again