Plants Always Die & Algae...

[Joshwainwright]

Hey,

I'm having a few problems at the moment, and my attempts to resolve them are failing.

When I started my tank, plants were always dying, but I just ignored it and continued to buy new ones. Further on in the line I began to have lots of algae problems, and inserted a bubble setup (if this has anything to do with it). Currently I have a few plants in my tank that just keep dying, yet the algae is thriving and almost taking over.

I look forward to your response.
Thanks,
Josh.

 

[fishyfeet]

I think the thing is to plant as much as possible and over feed the plants, giveing the plants the upperhand once they start to grow and get a grip the algae will be on the decline, i did the same thing with my small tank so much so ive started to sell of some of the plant cheap as they are getting overgrown. di

 

[RadaR]

Currently I have a few plants in my tank that just keep dying, yet the algae is thriving and almost taking over.

Makes sense. Unhealthy plants will almost always result in algae.
Unhealthy plants begin to breakdown internally which in turn, uncontrollably leaches ammonia into the water column. Not high enough levels to kill fish, but high enough to trigger algae spores when combined with light.
Simply provide the plants which everything they want and algae wont be a problem. Plants need a few things, light (easy), nutrients (micro and macro nutrients), CO2 (whether we add it or not) and good circulation in order to deliver all these factors to the plants and to neutralise dead spots.

How much light do you have over the tank? Wattage? Type of bulb (t8, t5).
How large is the tank?
Have you been supplying the plants with anything?
Type of filtration and how much flow it provides?
Water changes?
Stocking?
Type of plants?

What's a bubble setup? An airstone/bubble curtain?

 

[Joshwainwright]

How much light do you have over the tank? Wattage? Type of bulb (t8, t5).
How large is the tank?
Have you been supplying the plants with anything?
Type of filtration and how much flow it provides?
Water changes?
Stocking?
Type of plants?

What's a bubble setup? An airstone/bubble curtain?

• The bulb I use is 20Watt T8
• It is a 80L tank
• I did supply them with Pets At Home plant food but I have stopped using this as it didn't have an effect.
• My current filter has just broke on me but I have a fluval 205 in the post.
• I don't change my water as often as I should, to be honest I should get into the habit of it.
• 9 adult guppies, LOTS of fry and a few neon tetras.
• I have no idea what plants I have.
• By bubble set up I mean I have 2 air stones.

 

[RadaR]

Lets see if we can get things going then.
Firstly, the airstones aren't helping your plants. Airstones cause lots of surface agitation that drives off CO2 (CO2, which the plants want).
The 205 is a good move and when it comes, it should supply the tank with good flow.
Personally I would get lots of easy, beginner, fast growing plants and plant up the tank heavily, atleast 75%. Then dose 4ml of "Tropica Plant Nutrition+" every other day, and 4ml of "Easycarbo" everyday.
Carry out 30-50% water changes weekly and make sure the filter floss in the external filter is changed weekly/bi-weekly and the sponges aren't clogged up with gunk, monthly.
All together, this should work nicely and give you good results.


P.S. keep the lights on for 8hours a day. A good quality timer is brilliant for this job.

 

[Joshwainwright]

The only problem I have is getting plants, where I live there aren't many fish stores that are good with plants, they just sell random ones at however many for so much. Also, they do not display the names of the plants or anything.

I could try Pets At Home but I have no idea if they do plants or not, I have never looked.

 

[RadaR]

Thank goodness for the internet then.
Here is a guide to online shops for plants in the UK.

 

[Joshwainwright]

Thank goodness for the internet then.
Here is a guide to online shops for plants in the UK.

Oh, super!
Thanks a lot!

I need to get my filter sorted first, then I may change to sand, and then its down to business restocking and attempting to keep some plants healthy

 

[Ryefish]

my local P@H has just been done up and now sells plants. To be honest, even though the tanks were riddled with snails, the plants were in better condition than the ones sold at my LFS. I did dig around for them in the tank though LOL! the sales woman wasn't too impressed when i was up to my elbows in tank water

 

[Joshwainwright]

I bet you got some nice looks of other people in the store.

I think I'm going to buy some online when I get round to it, then I know what I'm buying.

 

[Ryefish]

LOL! i was NOT about to trust this sales woman to get me good plants. She was serving a lady before me and she asks what the plant was, and the sales woman goes "oh.. its a pinky purpley type bush plant". pfft! i dripped water all the way through the shop. my friend was horrified but i thought it was hilarious.

You will get more of a selection online than at P@H lol, and better advice than "pinky purply bush types"

 

[Joshwainwright]

Yeah lol, I would rather buy something with a real name
Also, I will be able to pick out some plants that I know are easy to keep healthy