Unsure About Aquarium Plants

[gowing238]

I recently put two plants in my aquarium (unsure of the names). I got up the next morning and my fish where all at the top of the tank gasping for air. after aerating the water with an air stone i managed to save most. Where the plants the cause of this problem? I did add 16 tetras at the same time as the plants mind. maybe that could have done it

 

[LukeFishwalker]

I recently put two plants in my aquarium (unsure of the names). I got up the next morning and my fish where all at the top of the tank gasping for air. after aerating the water with an air stone i managed to save most. Where the plants the cause of this problem? I did add 16 tetras at the same time as the plants mind. maybe that could have done it

I'm thinking that plants are never a bad thing, but I could be wrong - though, if you didnt clean them properly they could have introduced something into the tank. How big is your tank?

Might want to post this in the planted tank forum as well.

 

[merry78]

As long as the plants were aquarium safe and didn't have anything toxic on them (if you bought them from your local fish shop they should be ok), i don't think the plants would have caused this reaction.
I think it may be more likely that when you added the 16 tetras, your biological filtration capacity was not enough to cope with the extra ammonium that was being produced.
I'd say that you need to be doing 25% water changes twice a day at least, until your good bacteria (found in your filter sponge) can multiply enough to cope with the added load. A good liquid test kit is recommended to allow you to monitor your levels of ammonium, nitrite and nitrate. Ammonium and nitrite must be 0, otherwise you need to keep doing water changes as often as possible until they are 0.
Bear in mind the advised stocking levels in regards to your tank size. Generally aquatic plants will improve your water quality, making your fish healthier.
hope this helps.