Dracena plant

[Divinityinlove]

I finally rehomed the two goldfish from this 60l tank to kingfisher aquatics in Enfield because they have loads of indoor ponds and I knew they'd have plenty more space livable longer term until they are purchased for an outdoor pond.

I bought these plants, 4 for £10 from the same pond shop, very good price and great quality! I plan to move my female betta into this 60l from her current 30l tank so she can have more space. I cleaned it out and planted these. Gonna wait for a while for the water to get clean as the goldfish were such big waste producers and this tank had brown algae on all stones. Snails became very inactive in this tank, unsure why. They were forever out of the water on the lid, above water line etc not sure what they disliked. Maybe the temp at 22°C too low?

Few questions:
Anyone experienced with dracenas under water know if they'll do well in hard water without any extras? Just liquid ferts?

How long should I wait before adapting the betta? I did a 80% water change because my vacuum/fluval siphin had one of its moments where the pump wouldn't suck up and I couldn't clean it out as well as I'd like. Anyone know why sometimes the siphon with pump acts up and won't suck?? I cleaned out the pump, it is super clear inside. Just water won't go up when I pump. Super frustrating! I don't want to buy a new one if it's a silly reason that can be fixed.

Lastly, for this 60l tank with 30 height and 60 width... I've got a 6.5W light with white and blue LEDS. Can anyone recommend a tube light that'd do better for these plants to really boost?!

Thank you gracious aquarists.

 

[Byron]

Dracaena sanderiana is actually a terrestrial plant, but it will usually survive submersed for several months (not always, so keep an eye on it and remove it as soon as it shows signs of rotting). It is tall, up to 20 inches/50 cm. I would use a substrate tab for fertilizer, given this is a terrestrial plant with roots.

On the light, it doesn't look bad, but photos can be misleading. Can you find a Kelvin rating (a 4 digit number with a K suffix) on the unit or the website of the manufacturer?

You have floating plants, which are fast growers, so provided they are showing signs of growth you can add the betta.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Good news that you were able to find such a great home for the goldies! I agree with what Byron said about the plants. Those dracenas are pretty, but might not last long. Once the floating plants are growing well, add the betta.

As for the snails, what kind are they? Certain kinds will leave the water to spawn, but that doesn't sound like what's going on here. Most snails would be reasonably comfortable at 22c, though many prefer it a little warmer. It might be a water quality issue. Have you tested for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate? I would advise doing so before you add any fish.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

As for the siphon pump, they can be finnicky. If you can, take the pump bulb apart, clean the parts, and put it back together. Mine has a little ball that forms the valve. Sometimes a little bit of debris will get in there and keep the ball from moving properly and/or sealing to the holes.

If it's the kind you can't take apart, sometimes letting it dry thoroughly and giving it a good shake will break loose whatever is stuck.

 

[Divinityinlove]

Dracaena sanderiana is actually a terrestrial plant, but it will usually survive submersed for several months (not always, so keep an eye on it and remove it as soon as it shows signs of rotting). It is tall, up to 20 inches/50 cm. I would use a substrate tab for fertilizer, given this is a terrestrial plant with roots.

On the light, it doesn't look bad, but photos can be misleading. Can you find a Kelvin rating (a 4 digit number with a K suffix) on the unit or the website of the manufacturer?

You have floating plants, which are fast growers, so provided they are showing signs of growth you can add the betta.

Ah I threw away the labels. Why did ya ask? The pond shop had them submerged in an aquarium. They were my favourite. Very disappointed. What's a good hard water plant that'll do well without co2 etc? So far my floaters are my best survivors, they do well. Oddly, they grow longer roots in the betta 30l than in my other 3 tanks, not sure why at all.

 

[Byron]

Ah I threw away the labels. Why did ya ask? The pond shop had them submerged in an aquarium. They were my favourite. Very disappointed. What's a good hard water plant that'll do well without co2 etc? So far my floaters are my best survivors, they do well. Oddly, they grow longer roots in the betta 30l than in my other 3 tanks, not sure why at all.

You asked about a better light for the plants, so I asked what is the spectrum of the existing light. It may be about as good as you could get. The spectrum is important, this is the colour of light. White light is comprised of different colour wavelengths, think of a prism or rainbow. Light manufacturers can modify these colour wavelengths. It is still white light, but it can vary, depending upon the wavelengths. Kelvin is one way to measure colour, and the range 5000K to 6500K is best. Look the manufacturer up online and find the data on this particular light.

As for plants, most will dow ell in hard or soft water. But particularly good in hard water are the Vallisneria. As for CO2, all plants pretty much will do well without adding CO2; there is a lot naturally occurring once you have fish being fed.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Long roots on floaters are usually a good sign. It means that your plants are having to work to find enough nutrients, which shows that your water is clean.

I find that various crypts do well in a variety of water conditions, once they get going.

 

[Colin_T]

You have a number of plants in the tank that will die if you leave them there. The green striped plant in the middle needs to come out immediately.

There is a plant that looks like umbrella grass (dwarf Papyrus or the Dracaena?) on the left (long stem with some flat leaves coming off the top). It might not be Papyrus and could be an aquatic but I haven't seen an aquatic plant like that. If that is the dracaena then it needs to come out.

To the right of center is a purplish coloured plant that looks like it belongs in the garden. If it's a Cryptocoryne species then it's fine but if it's anything else it should probably be taken out unless you can confirm it's a true aquatic plant.

The Anubias on the far right looks like it's rotting.

The plants listed can be put in plastic garden pots with some potting mix and grown on the window sill out of water. If you leave them there, chances are they will be dead within a month.

--------------------

A good way to see if plants are aquatic or terrestrial is to lift them out of water. If the plant can stand up when out of water, they are marsh or terrestrial plants. If the plants drop down and can't stand up when removed from water, they are aquatic plants.

Some marsh plants like Hygrophila species and Echinodorus species can be grown underwater. But common garden plants like Dracaena do not belong in aquariums.

 

[Sgooosh]

You have a number of plants in the tank that will die if you leave them there. The green striped plant in the middle needs to come out immediately.

There is a plant that looks like umbrella grass (dwarf Papyrus or the Dracaena?) on the left (long stem with some flat leaves coming off the top). It might not be Papyrus and could be an aquatic but I haven't seen an aquatic plant like that. If that is the dracaena then it needs to come out.

To the right of center is a purplish coloured plant that looks like it belongs in the garden. If it's a Cryptocoryne species then it's fine but if it's anything else it should probably be taken out unless you can confirm it's a true aquatic plant.

The Anubias on the far right looks like it's rotting.

The plants listed can be put in plastic garden pots with some potting mix and grown on the window sill out of water. If you leave them there, chances are they will be dead within a month.

--------------------

A good way to see if plants are aquatic or terrestrial is to lift them out of water. If the plant can stand up when out of water, they are marsh or terrestrial plants. If the plants drop down and can't stand up when removed from water, they are aquatic plants.

Some marsh plants like Hygrophila species and Echinodorus species can be grown underwater. But common garden plants like Dracaena do not belong in aquariums.

I agree, if you still want the plants t be in the tank, just don't let the leaves touch the water only the stems.

*not my photo

 

[Divinityinlove]

You asked about a better light for the plants, so I asked what is the spectrum of the existing light. It may be about as good as you could get. The spectrum is important, this is the colour of light. White light is comprised of different colour wavelengths, think of a prism or rainbow. Light manufacturers can modify these colour wavelengths. It is still white light, but it can vary, depending upon the wavelengths. Kelvin is one way to measure colour, and the range 5000K to 6500K is best. Look the manufacturer up online and find the data on this particular light.

As for plants, most will dow ell in hard or soft water. But particularly good in hard water are the Vallisneria. As for CO2, all plants pretty much will do well without adding CO2; there is a lot naturally occurring once you have fish being fed.

The light is 6500k. I checked with the seller.

 

[Divinityinlove]

You have a number of plants in the tank that will die if you leave them there. The green striped plant in the middle needs to come out immediately.

There is a plant that looks like umbrella grass (dwarf Papyrus or the Dracaena?) on the left (long stem with some flat leaves coming off the top). It might not be Papyrus and could be an aquatic but I haven't seen an aquatic plant like that. If that is the dracaena then it needs to come out.

To the right of center is a purplish coloured plant that looks like it belongs in the garden. If it's a Cryptocoryne species then it's fine but if it's anything else it should probably be taken out unless you can confirm it's a true aquatic plant.

The Anubias on the far right looks like it's rotting.

The plants listed can be put in plastic garden pots with some potting mix and grown on the window sill out of water. If you leave them there, chances are they will be dead within a month.

--------------------

A good way to see if plants are aquatic or terrestrial is to lift them out of water. If the plant can stand up when out of water, they are marsh or terrestrial plants. If the plants drop down and can't stand up when removed from water, they are aquatic plants.

Some marsh plants like Hygrophila species and Echinodorus species can be grown underwater. But common garden plants like Dracaena do not belong in aquariums.

I removed the dracena (stripes one) yesterday after Byron mentioned it. The anubias I've been trying to save because it has new root and shoots growing. Is ir beyond help? I couldn't diagnose the cause for rot!

The other plants you mentioned, o bought them both from the pond shop and they were submerged in an aquarium so I'm quite shocked about all this lol. Why would they be selling these as aquarium plants?

I have to check what they are and I'd thrown the labels away. No idea how to do that unless I post better pictures here and someone can identify in another thread.

 

[GaryE]

Temporary aquarium plants are a thing. Usually they are bog plants or plants from flooding zones. They hold their own for a bit, then it becomes too much.
I have Anubias and Bolbitis, stream margin plants, that have acclimated and grown like mad underwater. The Bolbitis has thrived for 30 years, and the Anubias is around 20 now.


A lot of people take the view that aquatic plants and even fish are short lived, disposable decor.

 

[Byron]

The light is 6500k. I checked with the seller.

OK, that is good plant light.

 

[Divinityinlove]

Temporary aquarium plants are a thing. Usually they are bog plants or plants from flooding zones. They hold their own for a bit, then it becomes too much.
I have Anubias and Bolbitis, stream margin plants, that have acclimated and grown like mad underwater. The Bolbitis has thrived for 30 years, and the Anubias is around 20 now.


A lot of people take the view that aquatic plants and even fish are short lived, disposable decor.

Anubias is very popular for aquariums? This is the first I've heard it is not? I have to check this if this is what you meant. Because I was thinking based on the earlier comment that Anubias stands up straight out of water. What a shame!

 

[Divinityinlove]

As for the siphon pump, they can be finnicky. If you can, take the pump bulb apart, clean the parts, and put it back together. Mine has a little ball that forms the valve. Sometimes a little bit of debris will get in there and keep the ball from moving properly and/or sealing to the holes.

If it's the kind you can't take apart, sometimes letting it dry thoroughly and giving it a good shake will break loose whatever is stuck.

I had thoroughly cleaned the pump but with no luck. I did discover however, that opposing its usual operation, it now only sucks up water if the output of the hose (sitting in the bucket) is inside some water. How odd! Before, I had to ensure the output was out of water or else it would only pump air out and splash around. Now, unless the output is inside water, the intake won't suck up the water. But once the output is submerged a bit, the intake sucks up effortlessly! Physics mystery to me.