Help With Plants Please?

[eddyg2007]

hi folks just looking for a bit of information about the diffrences of the plants. I currently have artificial plants in my tank but was thinking of getting real plants. I was just wondering what sort of maintenace you do for aquatic plants? any help will be great

 

[eddyg2007]

no one?

 

[Themuleous]

Steady on! We do have things to do outside the forum

Your question is too vast to answer in one post. Can I suggest you read the pinned threads, they should give you a good idea of whats involved, in particular the lighting and estimative index ones

Sam

 

[Colin_T]

Have a light on the tank for 12-16 hours per day (reduce the light if lots of algae grows), and add some iron fertiliser to the tank, (Sera Florena is a good iron plant fertiliser). This will help any live plants stay that way. Try growing vallis, ambulia, hygrophillas, ludwigia & elodia or hydrilla. These plants usually do well in the tank.

 

[Themuleous]

Have a light on the tank for 12-16 hours per day (reduce the light if lots of algae grows), and add some iron fertiliser to the tank, (Sera Florena is a good iron plant fertiliser). This will help any live plants stay that way. Try growing vallis, ambulia, hygrophillas, ludwigia & elodia or hydrilla. These plants usually do well in the tank.

I dont necessarily agree there. Plants need the dark period as much, if not more than they need the light as it gives them time to rest. This is especially important in high light thanks where the plants are pushed almost to the max of their growing abilities. I would suggest you start with the lights on for 8hrs, then gradually increase this by a hr or so each week, up to a maximum of 10hrs, 12hrs at the absolute most. If you see algae reduce it back by a hour and see. Algae is common in newly established tanks, but that is more often a result of poor plant growth than a specific result of the lighting.

Sam

 

[lovemyfraggies]

A low light planted tank does not require any special CO2, high levels of lighting or plant specific substrate such as Fluorite or Eco-Complete. Here are a list of low light plants that can grow or be tied to rock or wood. Here is a list of plants Java moss, Java fern, Lace Java fern, Narrow leaf Java fern, Most of the Cryptocoryne sp., Most of the Anubias sp., Guppy grass and hornwort. If you google low light aquarium plants there are plenty of sites that can give you the list of low light plants and more easy info to follow. Just print it out or copy it and take it with you to the fish store and you will be know what to look for. You can also have a beautiful planted tank with all the added complications. Good luck![/b]

 

[eddyg2007]

thanks I am new to the tropical scene and trying to find the best idea to redo the tank!