I Am Wasting My Time?

[BobRivers]

Hello,

I have been reading the forum for some time and enjoyed it very much but my plant experience is not very good and showing with my planted attempt. I have tried several different layouts and liked some of them. The latest I tried is with my vision 260 mostly Amazon sword at the back and some nice carpet java moss at the front (which is growing not to bad) with some slate and rocks. I have also purchased some Dwarf Hair grass from Javafern.com(very good site)but it is hard to keep it rooted.

I have mostly small fish apart from my red tail black so nothing really destroying my plants like my tinfoils use too.

I have 2 x 38 watt lighting t8,s so I guess I have about 1.38WPG I know not very good but do not really want to change it. I have sand as substrate with no added laterite or similar substance.

I do 25% water change every wek.

I add root tabs every other week and i also use some liquid ferts.

The problem is my plants do not stay a healthy green colour the leaves also rot and some have brown marks which I think is down to lighting and substrate but i would like to know from the pros , Is it possible to keep healthy plants with my setup as i do not really want to spend more on lighting and substrate or to add C02


Could anybody keep healthy plants with the set up that I have or am I wasting my time trying?

help appreciated.

 

[julioarca]

any c02 ?

wots your nitrate level

phosphate levels ?

 

[john starkey]

Hello,

I have been reading the forum for some time and enjoyed it very much but my plant experience is not very good and showing with my planted attempt. I have tried several different layouts and liked some of them. The latest I tried is with my vision 260 mostly Amazon sword at the back and some nice carpet java moss at the front (which is growing not to bad) with some slate and rocks. I have also purchased some Dwarf Hair grass from Javafern.com(very good site)but it is hard to keep it rooted.

I have mostly small fish apart from my red tail black so nothing really destroying my plants like my tinfoils use too.

I have 2 x 38 watt lighting t8,s so I guess I have about 1.38WPG I know not very good but do not really want to change it. I have sand as substrate with no added laterite or similar substance.

I do 25% water change every wek.

I add root tabs every other week and i also use some liquid ferts.

The problem is my plants do not stay a healthy green colour the leaves also rot and some have brown marks which I think is down to lighting and substrate but i would like to know from the pros , Is it possible to keep healthy plants with my setup as i do not really want to spend more on lighting and substrate or to add C02


Could anybody keep healthy plants with the set up that I have or am I wasting my time trying?

help appreciated.

Hi, it sounds as if your plants need some iron fertilizer take a look at a web site called Aquaessentials they have every thing you need ,regards john

 

[RadaR]

Could you tell us the exact brand and model of the liquid fertiliser? How much are you adding?
Any idea of the types of bulbs? It may be that they have been used for a lengthy time and simply lost their intensity, in which case I would buy some new ones. Some bulbs like these (the ones at the bottom of the page, the 42inch ones). Also invest in some reflectors to make sure all the light is being directed into the tank.
The best plants to start with are:
Hygrophila species
Ludwigia species
Rotala species
Egeria species
Brazilian Water Ivy
Small Ambulia
Mexican Oak Leaf
Water Sprite
Hornwort
Floating plants

Hope this helps.

 

[BobRivers]

Hi

No Co2 Added
Nitrate 40 ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Amm 0ppm

How do I measure Phosphate ?


will check the site thanks John.