Moss Ball

[erk628]

Do fish nibble on these moss balls I've seen them before but have never had one.

 

[llamalord305]

They do, but I don't think there nibbling the moss, I think there picking out detritus.

 

[finalfantay85]

I think at least one is an Echinodorus Cordifolious Tropica or Marbled Queen and there's one that looks the same but isn't marbled. There's also a narrow red leafed plants that has (had) vibrant pink undersides to the leaves - possibly some kind of ludwigia? There are another 2 as well as the mossball but they seem to be doing ok at the moment

 

[loraxchick]

well thats good that your plants are doing well

and no fish dont eat the moss ball. as mentioned above they pick at "leftovers" that get trapped in there as well as timy organisms that live in them. that is why they are great for shrimp and fry!
cheers

 

[finalfantay85]

Could you suggest some other easy to care for plants that don't need any specialist care? As i said i like big broad leafs and also some...different...looking plants. Reds and variagated types that sorta thing.
Thanks

 

[loraxchick]

Could you suggest some other easy to care for plants that don't need any specialist care? As i said i like big broad leafs and also some...different...looking plants. Reds and variagated types that sorta thing.
Thanks

it really depends on your lighting and how "high tech" you want to go. higher light=more demand from the plants in the way of nutrients and CO2. the one piece of advice i can say for now, is not to keep your nitrates too low (this will be your plants only source of nirtogen-essential for growth/health). aim for around 20ppm (nitrates are not harmful to most fish (although fry are more sensitive to it) until you get into the 100's ppm.

red plants are notoriously difficult to keep. you could try (red)ludwigia. im certainly no "expert" at keeping plants/aquascaping, but have very healthy plants/tanks and ive never been able to keep the stuff alive (whether in high light or low light) for more than say, 2 months.

java fern is a good broad leaved easy option. as is anubias. see if you like the look of them. keep in mind they will need to be tied to something, rather than planted, but easy in almost all setups, albeit a little slow-growing.
cheers

 

[finalfantay85]

Could you suggest some other easy to care for plants that don't need any specialist care? As i said i like big broad leafs and also some...different...looking plants. Reds and variagated types that sorta thing.
Thanks

it really depends on your lighting and how "high tech" you want to go. higher light=more demand from the plants in the way of nutrients and CO2. the one piece of advice i can say for now, is not to keep your nitrates too low (this will be your plants only source of nirtogen-essential for growth/health). aim for around 20ppm (nitrates are not harmful to most fish (although fry are more sensitive to it) until you get into the 100's ppm.

red plants are notoriously difficult to keep. you could try (red)ludwigia. im certainly no "expert" at keeping plants/aquascaping, but have very healthy plants/tanks and ive never been able to keep the stuff alive (whether in high light or low light) for more than say, 2 months.

java fern is a good broad leaved easy option. as is anubias. see if you like the look of them. keep in mind they will need to be tied to something, rather than planted, but easy in almost all setups, albeit a little slow-growing.
cheers

My nitrates are only between 5-10ppm if my test is to be believe but it is an API one and i've heard the nitrate one isn't that accurate. My dad's tank downstairs however has nitrates of 20ppm. Yeah i'm thinking i'll abandon red plants if this one doesn't last. It is the least healthy of the 6 plants in there. I'll have to add some plant fertiliser when i do a water change this evening. Should have done it yesterday but i was a tad hungover

If i need new plants i will definately try plantsalive cos i can actually tell what i'm buying then. I really like the look of lace plants but i think they'd be too difficult to cultivate in my tank. Java ferns and anubias look good yeah but i have nothing other than ornaments to anchor them to

 

[finalfantay85]

Would it be better to add the fertiliser to the bucket of water i'm adding in during the water change or just dump it in the tank?

 

[loraxchick]

Would it be better to add the fertiliser to the bucket of water i'm adding in during the water change or just dump it in the tank?

either way. i havent found it makes any sort of difference. unless it is a powder, in which case, mix it first with some tank water (either during a waterchange in the bucket to refill the tank, or just a little cup that you scooped some water from the tank into.)
cheers