Cabomba

[Twinklecaz]

Hi

Had some in my tank for a couple of weeks now and it seems to shed and go stringy/bare(ish) around the bottom two thirds. Why is this and how can I fix it?

It did it last time I had Cabomba too until it eventually died!

 

[PDSimon]

Hey caz

The specs of your tank would be useful! Lighting wattage and how long they're on for, any ferts/carbon, filtration and what not!

a pic would be useful too I imagine!

 

[Ps3Steveo]

A lot if the time with Cabomba and similar plants they get very sparse round the bottom as that far down it gets hardly any light, tank specs would help tho

 

[Twinklecaz]

Doh sorry should have thought of that:

Tank: 60l offically (more like 57L though)
Light: T8 15w Sun Glo
On for: 8 hours a day (on a timer).
Dosing: 2-2.5ml TPN+ every couple of days and 1ml of Easy Carbo.

I do have moonlights that stay on all the time if that's relevant.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Hmmm, to be honest it seems like the bottom is prob not getting enough light is all, I grew mine with more than double the lighting and it struggled in the end and got quite sparse towards the bottom until it melted, never had much luck with it really.

 

[Twinklecaz]

So do you think I should up the lights time? I have other plants in there too?

 

[Caprichoso]

So do you think I should up the lights time? I have other plants in there too?

Nope, 8 hours is plenty. You'll probably just get algae if you start leaving the light on longer. Honestly, Cabomba isn't exactly the easiest to grow well (in my opinion), yet they sell it in all the lfs. I would suggest getting something else if you're not happy with the growth of it. Especially if everything else in your tank is growing well.

Good luck

 

[PDSimon]

It does appreciate moderate to high light I think so I would agree. The upper leaves will be recieving good light, and if they're developing nicely then you would think all the other aspects of the tank are ok (e.g. ferts).

I wouldn't increase light though..I'd look for another plant tbh.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Yeah don't increase lighting, just keep an eye on the lower part of the stem, if it starts melting then cut off the bottom of the stem, re-plant and keep giving it a trim. I had a few stems which I had to do this too and they looked better being trimmed from the bottom, grew thicker and with stems theres no reason not to do it.

 

[Tizer]

i was always under the impression is was a coldwater plant, i had some in my tank for a month or so and it seemed to be doing ok, but i could only see the top 1/3 of it. When i dug around i noticed the base had gone a very light colour and was basically rotting. Could be lack of light i guess, but i wont use it again

 

[Twinklecaz]

Thanks for your advice guys. Is there anything similar looking that will behave better? My fish ( and me) like the bushyness of ot!

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Ambulia is similar. You can buy Giant Ambulia too which is nice.

Link
http/www.java-plants.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_26&products_id=139&osCsid=9f88d35981fa7583521467a1d86211c6

http/www.java-plants.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_26&products_id=73&osCsid=9f88d35981fa7583521467a1d86211c6

 

[mattbleasby]

My Experience with Cabomba is that it will grow VERY well in Coldwater 18degrees or there abouts. I have a little cold water setup. And its niceley spreading in there, And has been for around a year. But as soon as i put some in warmer water. Rotted within a week. And was a nightmare too get out the tank.

 

[Tizer]

I replaced the cabomba with Hygrophila polysperma, its grown really nicely and my corys often sit on the leaves and chill. So far it hasnt gone very pink, which i dont mind, but it does grow like mad and its easy to clip and replant as nearly every part of the plant is capable of root itself and regrowing. I dont think the demand on light is very high either. For me, it just grows.

 

[snowflake311]

I had put some green cabomba in my tank before I added more light and before I had co2. It died off. I never pulled it out just cut it back. Then once I added higher light and got my co2 going added ferts the stupid stuff came back to life. Now I don't want it..

This pants needs good light to grow well IMO.