New Plants

[blackers92]

I finally went out and bought some plants today

1 x baby tears
1 x hygrophillia (red leaves at end)
1 x Ludwigia
1 x Ambulia
1 x Crypt
1 x Anubias (Nano?)
1 X Amazon Sword

I went for really basic plants hoping that they will grow then I can probably plant a little bit heavier.

My substrate is flourite, i will dose excel every day, I have 2x 24 Watt T5 HO globes and the lights are on for 10 hours

My question is, I know that anubias shouldnt be planted in the substrate, I have a piece of bogwood in my tank and I have wedged it between the substrate and wood hoping that the tendrils will take of and it will stick to the wood.

Do you think this will work?

Cheers

Adam

 

[saltynay]

Haven't you got any fishing line laying around? you can also super glue them if your really careful not to soak the roots just little spots

 

[blackers92]

I literally have kilos of fishing line my dad is an avid fishman, it is just that the piece of wood is about 2cms wide and 2cms long so its really stubby and small, i will try then thanks for the advice.

 

[GrayScale]

Keep an eye out for algea with the lights being on 10 hours a day it may be too much. 8 hours is usually optimal.

 

[flix_cw]

you can also super glue them if your really careful not to soak the roots just little spots

Which part do you apply superglue to? The rhizome or the roots?

 

[curlyriff]

Keep an eye out for algea with the lights being on 10 hours a day it may be too much. 8 hours is usually optimal.

Really? I recently read in PFK that 8 hours was before any research was done and that because most tropical places have longer hours of daylight that the best for tropical fish at least is 10-12 hours so I would assume that plants would be similar if they from the same region?

Although T5 HO is allot. What size is the tank?

Kind Regards,

Adam

 

[GrayScale]

More light = more co2 and nutrients. If you've got too much light and not providing enough nutrients to the plants, algae will grow and use whatever nutrients are there.

 

[curlyriff]

More light = more co2 and nutrients. If you've got too much light and not providing enough nutrients to the plants, algae will grow and use whatever nutrients are there.

I understand that but from what I was trying to say is that 8 hours isn't optimum for light as that is not there natural condition. 10-12 hours is closer to optimum to what we can recreate but obviously you would need to dose at higher amounts if you understand me?

Kind Regards,

Adam

 

[blackers92]

the tank is 37 gallons so it isn't massive, I still get something like 1.3 wpg so its not over the top.

So far I have had little algae with 10 hours, I will monitor my tank though to ensure it stays clear

thanks again

adam

 

[mbsqw1d]

More light = more co2 and nutrients. If you've got too much light and not providing enough nutrients to the plants, algae will grow and use whatever nutrients are there.

I understand that but from what I was trying to say is that 8 hours isn't optimum for light as that is not there natural condition. 10-12 hours is closer to optimum to what we can recreate but obviously you would need to dose at higher amounts if you understand me?

Kind Regards,

Adam

'natural condition'? a flourescent bulb isn't natural light, so never mind how long you have it switched on for! And algae is natural, you'll find loads of it where these plants we keep live in their natural habitat. It's just that we don't like algae... much like how a gardener doesnt like 'weeds'. Its just an unwanted plant that is far more adaptable to inconsistent conditions than 'higher plants' are. If there is enough nutrients and co2 for a plant that is under high lighting for 10 hours then they will grow, no problem. However once nutrients are used/co2 is used, then the plant will no longer photosynthesize. Given time however, plants can adapt to different conditions (see how crypts tend to 'melt' when disurbed). Algae however can adapt rapidly which makes it such an annoyingly prolific and succesful plant!


curlyriff, are you injecting co2 into the tank at all? if not i'd stop the daily dosing of ferts!


my anubias has grown rapidly since i started using DIY co2 injection. It has sprouted 5 new leaves in the last 3 months Oh, and you just need to ensure that the rhyzome is above the substrate

 

[blackers92]

Do you guys think that I should space my plants further apart?

Like the ambulia should I separate each one?

Cheers

 

[mbsqw1d]

no that looks great! ..just add more plants!

 

[saltynay]

you can also super glue them if your really careful not to soak the roots just little spots

Which part do you apply superglue to? The rhizome or the roots?

Sorry for the delay you want to glue the rhizome to whichever point you want to be its permanent position. The glue turns white in water so you want the point hidden. Superglue gel is easier to use then the liquid type as you can get a more exact position. Superglue degrades in water so its actually used for the initial attachment, the plant will then grow and attach itself allowing you in a significant amount of time to change your layout in the future so its semi permanent.