Questions on Plants

[Bk718]

My first question is about flourish. I have a 10g planted tank and i would say its packed pretty good. I have co2 running, pretty good lighting and flourish and with all that the plants are growing GREAT.
http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/355/1020328ty5.jpg
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/9691/1020868cp3.jpg

As you can see its a MAJOR difference. I had to trim some already twice and move others into another tank.
The Flourish bottle directions say 5mls per 60g once or twice a week. I have been dosing mine for about 3 weeks now with 1ml weekly after a water change. Now someone on another thread had brought a question into my head.. does the dosage on the bottle refer to a tank thats lightly planted or heavily? Should i use flourish once or twice a week with this many plants?

Next question is about Plant Care. I am having some trouble with the dwarf hairgrass, i dont think that the roots are actually going into the gravel and hooking on, plus recently i have started to see new growth and some other blades dying off. I was thinking maybe getting some root tabs and trying to grow it out with that. Whats proper suggested care for this grass??

Another question is on Trimming. I have a plant called Gymnocoronis, its a really really fast grower and had to trim it a few times now. After trimming it started to grow more and more roots that would come out of all locations along the stem.
http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/9919/1020865hb5.jpg
Any special care needed for this??

Well thanks for looking and answering.

[Bk718]

wow really nothing?! lol

[Animallove]

lol, im just starting my first planted aquarium so I really can't help you much on tips. sorry! Goodluck! the tank looks beautiful

[Bk718]

lol, im just starting my first planted aquarium so I really can't help you much on tips. sorry! Goodluck! the tank looks beautiful

finally someone alive out there.. Thanks for the kindness. And good luck with your planted setup!

[rich311k]

The roots are normal, just trim them off if you don't like them. The recommended dosage of flourish is kind of on the low side. Judging from your growth you are adding enough for the moment.

Keep replanting the hairgrass, eventually it will take. A few root tabs would not hurt.

[Bk718]

The roots are normal, just trim them off if you don't like them. The recommended dosage of flourish is kind of on the low side. Judging from your growth you are adding enough for the moment.

Keep replanting the hairgrass, eventually it will take. A few root tabs would not hurt.

ahh help does exist here lol :bowing:

will cutting those roots slow the plants growth??

Any tips on how to actually plant the hairgrass, every time i try to put it in the substrate it keeps floating back up..Thats why i just did it by bigger clumps

[irishspy]

Hi BK,

My plant-fu is weak :o , but I suggest you also ask at plant forums such as Plant Geek and Planted Tank. Those people are true aquatic vegetable heads.

(And I write that with the nicest intent, since I'm registered at both. :silly: )

[ThePBM]

dwarf hairgrass takes awhile to root into gravel because it's got skinny runners that don't do enough to hold it down in gravel. it grows better in sand according to my findings.
your bigger clumps look good though, so i guess you could just leave it be and see how it spreads.

as for the roots coming from the length of the plant- you're dosing excel so the nutrients are in the water. the roots go to where the nutrients are. cutting the roots will definitely slow plant growth. if you get some root tabs, the plant probably won't send out water column roots as much.

[Bk718]

thanks irishspy (get that purigen yet??)

and thanks pbm for the info

[irishspy]

thanks irishspy (get that purigen yet??)

I have to get the aquarium, first. :silly:

[Bk718]

I have to get the aquarium, first. :silly:
well what are you waiting for ?? lol get it throw some dirty wood in there and tell me if it works.. Though right now im considering not even using carbon in the tank. just sponge, floss, biomax

[irishspy]

well what are you waiting for ??

The car demanded some of my aquarium money as tribute. :mad2: I'll have to wait another month or so, but I can use that to do more reading. :read:

I've settled on using purigen to remove the "tea staining" after the tank cycles.

[Gbbudd]

Hi BK,

My plant-fu is weak :o , but I suggest you also ask at plant forums such as Plant Geek and Planted Tank. Those people are true aquatic vegetable heads.

(And I write that with the nicest intent, since I'm registered at both. :silly: )

vegtable heads :rofl:

[loaches r cool]

wow really nothing?! lol

OK you get a virtual slap in the face for saying that within 24hrs of your first post...
:nono:
Consider yourself lucky if you get quick resposnses, dont expect it.

As far as your dosing have you looked into the dosing methods most planted tank aquarists use? Like the EI method? For example look at this easy to use guide: http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/science-aquatic-fertilizing/15225-estimative-index-dosing-guide.html

It says for your size tank 2ml 3x per week (well thats for CSM+B but I beleive folks dose flourish the same, will have to do some research to be certain).

Dont forget Flourish is pretty much just a trace/micro fert, youll still need macro ferts (NPK) especially if you have med/high light.

Here is another good read: http://www.barrreport.com/estimative-index/3209-want-more-accuracy-want-daily-pmdd-style-ei-dosing.html