Help ! Haven't a clue what im doing

[Brendanpat]

Hi . Always only had fake plants in my aquarium. So decided to try and plant some real ones . Ordered these 2 online . They came 3 days late . Not sure if the alternanthera lilacina is dead ? Java fern looks a bit better ? All advice welcome please .Are they planted correctly ?do they need root tabs ? Are they dead ? Do they need the light on ?

 

[HoldenOn]

Looks like you have the Java Fern planted in the substrate. Thats a no no. You have to tie the little stem the leaves grow off of to something. Root tabs will help and yes the plants do need light. Don't give them to much or you might have an algae bloom. 8 to 10 hours is a good place to start. Is your tank cycled, or are you cycling it with plants?

 

[HoldenOn]

Also assuming you planted these today it takes time for them to establish and can be too early to determine wether or not they are dead. Someone else will probably know better than me though, I'd keep a eye out for other posts!

 

[Brendanpat]

Thanks for reply . No i tied it with a piece of thread at either end to a weight under the substrate. None of the plant is beneath surface . Hope that's ok? Yes its cycled already . The alternanthera is planted in gravel . I got 2 free root tabs with plant . Do I just stick them anywhere in the gravel ?

 

[HoldenOn]

Sounds good in regards to the Java Fern. If they are API root tabs and your plants are grouped up, you could just push one about half way down into the substrate. One tab covers around 30 inches. I would avoid putting too many root tabs in because they can be potentially harmful to your water/fish if they get pulled up from the substrate in large quantities. Let us know if you have anymore questions! (if you are wondering how to get root tabs in, just take your tweezers and push them into the substrate!).
Edit: just make sure none of the stem of the Java Fern is covered, it needs light and can rot quickly if too much of it is submerged.

 

[Brendanpat]

Ok .thanks for your help .

 

[Essjay]

Both of the plants you have get their nutrients from the water so you need a liquid fertiliser. Look for Seachem Flourish Comprehensive Supplement for the Plants Tank (no other Flourish, just this one) or TNC Lite (not Complete)

Alternanthera lilacina is reputed to be a medium difficulty plant and many sources say you need added CO2 for proper growth. But not liquid CO2 as these contain an ingredient which is not good for fish. If you find it fails, there are plenty 'easy' plants for you to try.

 

[FishGuest5123]

They both look OK right now but I agree with essjay on the alternanthera. I have never gotten it to grow.

 

[Brendanpat]

Both of the plants you have get their nutrients from the water so you need a liquid fertiliser. Look for Seachem Flourish Comprehensive Supplement for the Plants Tank (no other Flourish, just this one) or TNC Lite (not Complete)

Alternanthera lilacina is reputed to be a medium difficulty plant and many sources say you need added CO2 for proper growth. But not liquid CO2 as these contain an ingredient which is not good for fish. If you find it fails, there are plenty 'easy' plants for you to try.

Thanks it might go in the bin . Which plants are hardy and easy to grow ?I'm going to be starting my new tank soon with sand substrate. Was thinking about putting aquarium soil down first and then the sand on top . Would this be a good idea ?

 

[Essjay]

You need to research aquarium soils before buying anything. Some of them leach ammonia for several weeks to months and fish can't be put in the tank till they stop. Having said that, unless you want an aquatic garden, specialist substrates are not necessary.

Rather than try and list a lot of plants, this website can be searched by plant difficulty for some ideas https://tropica.com/en/plants/

I have plants which grow attached to decor and floating plants. I realise they are not everyone's taste but they work for me.

 

[FishGuest5123]

Amazon sword, anubias, java fern are all easy. I love anubias. It’s a slow grower but when it takes off it looks beautiful.

 

[utahfish]

Thanks it might go in the bin . Which plants are hardy and easy to grow ?I'm going to be starting my new tank soon with sand substrate. Was thinking about putting aquarium soil down first and then the sand on top . Would this be a good idea ?

No need for soil, it will be dead in about a year and need to be replaced. Stick with the sand with root tabs. Easy plants are crypts, ferns, anubius, swords, hornwort, anacharis, floating plants like wisteria, frog bit, duck weed, and most hygrophila species. Avoid any red plants as they require high light and lots of fertilization.
Get a comprehensive liquid fert as well seachem flourish is one that has at least 17 nutrients plants need. Light should be between 5000k to 6700k for best results keep on between 6-10 hours a day. Water changes are just as important for plants as for fish. As far as intensity of light intensity is measured in lumens, 20 lumens per liter is good for low light plants like ferns and anubius. 30-40 lumens per liter for medium grow plants like swords above 40 lumens per liter for high grow plants with red on them and dense carpeting plants. Good luck!

 

[Brendanpat]

Thanks for all the advice . I will just stick with the sand then I think ,and hopefully I'll get something growing.

 

[FishGuest5123]

Be sure you Seachem Flourish Comprehensive and not Seachem Flourish Excel. Excel can harm your fish.

 

[Brendanpat]

I'll be sure to check thanks ..the fish are the most important.