Real Plants

[Thomas 2507]

So, I have bought real plants before but didn't have much luck.

I would like to try them again. However, last time they seemed to loose leaves (I would wake up to a pile of leaves floating at the surface) and die quickly, although this may have been because of the amount of snails that came on the plants or because I didn't change the water often enough. Any ideas?

Also, you know the little black plant pots that they come in? Are you meant to take the plants out of the pots before putting them in the tank? When I tried, the roots seemed to crumble.

Thanks in advance.

 

[RadaR]

The large amount of snails and water changes wouldn't have been the cause of dieing plants.
You generally should remove the black pot the plants come in. When doing so and removing the rock wool, you must do it very carefully to avoid damaging the roots. We've all been there, so it's not impossible. Use some scissors and/or tweezers to help if you wish.
Now, to sort why the plants are dieing. We are going to need some information.
What is the volume and size of the tank?
Any idea of the wattage of the bulb and what brand it is? (e.g. hagen powerglo)
Do you dose any fertilisers? If so, which?
What substrate do you have? Simple, round gravel or sand?
Any idea on the plants that you have?

 

[Thomas 2507]

The tank is 27L and I use gravel. I'm not sure about the bulb or the type of plant. I have a grass one and a few others that I can't really describel

 

[lljdma06]

The tank is 27L and I use gravel. I'm not sure about the bulb or the type of plant. I have a grass one and a few others that I can't really describel

If you could take a few photos, that would be helpful. Sometimes pet stores sell non-aquatic plants as aquatic. These plants belong in a pot with soil near a sunny window, not in a tank, though a few of them can survive submerged for some tim before they eventually decay.

Also, inadaquate lighting may also be an issue. Most standard lighting in aquariums isn't enough to grow another but the most hardy species.

True aquatics also, at times, require an adjustment period in the aquarium, especially if they were raised emmersed (leaves outside the water). Often, this will result in a leaf die-off until new leaves, adapted for submerged growth come in.

The above are all possible causes of leaf die-off, however, without knowing more about your tank, as Radar suggests, we can really only guess.

llj

 

[RadaR]

Ok, we have 27litres to play with.
The bulb should actually have written on it what it is. If it's not that new, then the intensity and spectrum might have decreased, in which case, a new bulb would be wise. There is the possibility that the bulb is also undesirable for plant growth and not one we would generally use. Any bulb with that is high intensity and has a trichromatic full spectrum with a CRI rating of around 98, is good!
As for fertilisers, I would suggest the tropica nutrition.
Don't know the plants? Maybe you should start from scratch and get plants that you know what they are. These plants are good.
Hygrophila species
Ludwigia species
Rotala species
Egeria species
Brazilian Water Ivy
Small Ambulia
Mexican Oak Leaf
Water Sprite
Hornwort

 

[Thomas 2507]

Thanks for the help guys! I'll give those plants a go.