Plant Questions

[Mike&Diana]

Hello! I have a planted tank with 2 Amazon Swords and another variety that is very similar (but smaller) than the Amazon. The Amazons are growing *very* tall and the leaves are starting to bend at the top of the water. Should I cut these down or just let them grow? If I need to cut them, what is the proper technique? Also, do Amazons produce new plants or is there some way I can do this?

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There is black hair algae growing on the Amazon leaves... and the water is a bit cloudy so I realize there is an algae problem. I have heard that otos will eat the algae... is this true?

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And finally, I am looking for a few new types of plants. The swords are nice, but I am looking for ground cover.. something grasslike.. that will spread across the bottom of the tank. My tank includes minnows, cories, plecos, a male beta, among others.. what would you guys recommend? I apologize for the length of my questions but any help would be much appreciated!!


-Mike

 

[lizard]

Welcome!

I don't know much of anything about Amazon Swords, so I can't help you there, nor do I know much about other plants (I know what some look like, but I don't know names).

I have heard that otos will eat the algae... is this true?

Yes! My 10 gallon tank was covered in algae (I was away a lot and wasn't around to keep up with water changes and such - don't worry, I had somebody feeding them) and I put two Otos in there. Within a week, the tank was almost clear! It was amazing. I highly recommend getting a few of 'em They do like to be in groups, so don't get just one They're fun little fish, though - I rather enjoy mine.

Pamela
aka Married Lizard

 

[clutterydrawer]

my amazon swords' leaves grow above the surface. I just leave them. i figure that as they can grow out of water in nature, they shouldn't mind too much.

I can't recommend any other plants without knowing how much light you've got. surely something grassy will really reduce the area the cories have to forage around in?

 

[SoilGuru]

Its probably fine to leave the sword be. I will from time to time remove leaves that are starting to die or if they have tons of algae on them, but otherwise, I'd leave it.

Amazon swords don't propagate through runners or anything, but what I have done, and this was in my 45 gallon tank, they get pretty thick and I was able to separate it into two plants at the base. I left one in my 40 gallon tank and then put the other in my 10 gallon. The one in my 10 gallon, now has a whole set of small, new leaves, I probably could split it again if i wanted.

Yea, otto's are awesome, I have 6 in my 40 gallon and they do a great job eating algae and won't get huge like some algae eaters.

 

[Silly me]

some sword plant, when looking for more light will grow leaves that is shorth and more round, but as soon as there is enough light the leaves will be longer and a more narrow long shape starting close the to roots..

I also have black bearded algae in my tank, but mine doesnt grow out of control.
I found on the net that SAE, Rosy barbs, florida flagfish and some shrimps will help in keeping them in control..

Most grass like plant needs a very high amount of light, what is your setup?? who much watts per gallon do you have and how old are you tubes?

here is a picture of mine.. running at 4 watts per gallon

 

[sinistral]

To throw my 2 cents in, I will essentially duplicate what Silly_me wrote, that most lawn-plants will require light in excess of 4wpg in medium-size tanks to form a dense lawn.

Two recent threads that addressed the question of what species:

Here and here.

I will venture to suggest that Sagittaria subulata is probably the easiest of the "lawn" type plants to grow and propagate. Java moss of course is less demanding in terms of light, but I think dwarf sag looks nicer