What to do with vallis (need answers rather quickly)

[foxgirl158]

Hello
My Vallis is probably dead. Should I take off the leaves and leave the roots in hopes that they will grow back? If not, what should I do? Thanks.
(Don’t mind the container, it’s got a snail acclimating in it)

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

Could give leaving the roots a try, a lot of plants will regrow from rootstock. But check often to see if roots are rotting and need removing.

Definitely cut off all the dead rotting leave ASAP though. No saving them.

 

[foxgirl158]

What about the one standing up?

Could give leaving the roots a try, a lot of plants will regrow from rootstock. But check often to see if roots are rotting and need removing.

Definitely cut off all the dead rotting leave ASAP though. No saving them.

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

What about the one standing up?

Unless this is a different coloured vallis I've never seen before, the leaves are still dead and rotting, so beyond saving I'm afraid. I'm guessing the vallis was a bright green when you got it?

Vallis can be picky when first moved into a new tank, so don't beat yourself up about it. When a friend here sent me my vallis and I first planted it, it kept losing leaves and threatening to die on me, and took months to properly establish and grow well. Now I have tons of the stuff and have to cut it back all the time! So give it another go when you're ready. Don't forget root tabs for any new ones, it's a pretty greedy root feeder once established.

 

[foxgirl158]

Unless this is a different coloured vallis I've never seen before, the leaves are still dead and rotting, so beyond saving I'm afraid. I'm guessing the vallis was a bright green when you got it?

Vallis can be picky when first moved into a new tank, so don't beat yourself up about it. When a friend here sent me my vallis and I first planted it, it kept losing leaves and threatening to die on me, and took months to properly establish and grow well. Now I have tons of the stuff and have to cut it back all the time! So give it another go when you're ready. Don't forget root tabs for any new ones, it's a pretty greedy root feeder once established.

It actually sat in a freezing warehouse for 5 days because of a blizzard
What are the best root tabs to use and how do they work?

 

[OliveFish05]

Ouch. That is disappointing, to say the least. Will the seller replace it? Definitely dead. You could try sticking half a root tab under there and see if the roots are still good?

 

[foxgirl158]

Ouch. That is disappointing, to say the least. Will the seller replace it? Definitely dead. You could try sticking half a root tab under there and see if the roots are still good?

I’m not sure. I have to contact them about red root floaters that were dead on arrival, but it’s been two weeks so I’m not sure. I bought them from Modern Aquarium if anyone has experience with them?

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

It actually sat in a freezing warehouse for 5 days because of a blizzard
What are the best root tabs to use and how do they work?

Ah yeah, that'll kill most plants, for sure! Sorry, I wouldn't even bother trying to save the roots then - see how they look when you're cutting the leaves... brown and rotting needs to come out. Rotting matter in a tank is never good!

I can't help with root tab brands I'm afraid, not in the US. But stick to known brand names, not random cheap stuff online. I bought some cheap Chinese root tabs from Amazon once, and they spiked my nitrites super high for two weeks, requiring daily water changes and me having to dig them out from under the plants. Not recommended!

All root tabs do is provide nutrients for the plants, since there aren't any in sand or gravel. Some plants take their nutrients through their leaves/the water column, and can benefit from liquid fertilisers (aquarium specific, not your general houseplant ferts!) and some feed primarily through their roots, so thrive better when given root tabs. Vallis, cryptocorynes, and amazon swords are pretty common plants to have, and all greedy root feeders.

Best to buy live plants seasonally when you can, when the weather is mild-warm, not in the midst of summer or winter. If you need plants in those times, better to try to find a local hobbyist selling trimmings from their tank, so you can pick them and get them home quick!

 

[OliveFish05]

I use seachem root tabs! If the roots aren't worth saving, it may not be worth it.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

They look nearly dead. If the roots structure is still intact, it may grow more shoots in a week, but they need some root tabs.

 

[foxgirl158]

Alright, I’ll look for root tabs and get them as soon as I can. Thanks all for the help! I trimmed most of the stuff off and only left some small strands in order to see where the roots were, and for my new nerite to eat if he wants.

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

Alright, I’ll look for root tabs and get them as soon as I can. Thanks all for the help! I trimmed most of the stuff off and only left some small strands in order to see where the roots were, and for my new nerite to eat if he wants.

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No fish in this tank, right? Is it cycling right now? Just be aware that rotting leaves will raise ammonia levels

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Alright, I’ll look for root tabs and get them as soon as I can. Thanks all for the help! I trimmed most of the stuff off and only left some small strands in order to see where the roots were, and for my new nerite to eat if he wants.

View attachment 153544

View attachment 153545

Does the tank have a light? Also, it being set on those books like that concerns me. Tanks should be on a completely flat surface, because the very middle is a weak point.

 

[foxgirl158]

No fish in this tank, right? Is it cycling right now? Just be aware that rotting leaves will raise ammonia levels

Correct. I’m adding bb tomorrow. The ammonia level before I removed the plants and did a 25% water change was .10.

 

[foxgirl158]

Does the tank have a light? Also, it being set on those books like that concerns me. Tanks should be on a completely flat surface, because the very middle is a weak point.

Yes it does, a strong “clear” light and a red light.
The books are only temporary, a stand is getting built for it