Plants

[kimley]

I have planted a few cabomba plants in my aquarium and they are getting quite a few new starts, enough for me to top them and start a few more plants, but the orginal plant is turning a little brown and losing leaves. Can you tell me if this is normal or am I doing something wrong, do not want my new starts to start doing that also?? I use a plant fertilize that is called Kent freshwater. How often do you think one should fertilize, I have charcoal in my filter system and heard that takes out your plant food?? Any sugguestions??

Thanks,
Kim
:scratch:

[djlen]

Many people don't use the charcoal in their filters except for removing medications for just the reason you describe. At best it only works for about 4 weeks anyway and then has to be replaced. A better idea would be to lose the charcoal and add an extra sponge to improve your bio-filtration.
How much light do you have over the tank? And how many strands of cabomba to you have growing together? Often, stem plants lose lower leaves from lack of light.

Len

[kimley]

When you are talking of adding a sponge to the bio-filter do you mean just a household sponge?? I am using a fluorescent bulb in my tank.
Kim:hi:

[as40]

:)
By light, I think djlen meant the wattage. On the bulb you'll find something saying how many watts the bulb is. Typically you want to have at least 1.5 to 2.0 watts per gallon over your tank if you're keeping live plants, to place it in the simplest way possible. More is better, however, too much and you'll get an explosion of algea or will need to start using co2. However, I don't think this will be the case with your tank.

So I guess what we need to know is, what size (gallon-wise) is your tank, and how many watts do you have lighting it?

I'd also have to agree with djlen that the best thing would be to stop using charcoal, as it does remove the nutrients you are adding for your plants. I also use Kent Freshwater, but not as much as the bottle recommends. I add a capful to the tank every week and a half or every time I change the water.

[djlen]

Many filters come with a sponge-like material and charcoal. I was referring to that sponge.
As I said most plant people do not use the charcoal and in it's place, add an extra sponge. It aids in filtration and adds surface area for 'good' bacteria to colonize.


Len

[kimley]

I was asking where you would get a sponge, because have never heard of it before, am reasonable new at this..... do you get them at pet stores was my question:emb:

Thanks,
Kim

[djlen]

What kind of filter do you have? What else, besides the charcoal, came with it to put into the filter? Most filters made today make sponges to filter out particulate matter.

Most LFSs carry filters and replacement parts including media(charcoal, sponges, ammonia pillows etc.).

Len

[kimley]

the light is 10-15watts, and the tank is 5 gallons, i thought it is strange that the plants are growing good fresh growth, but the older growth is dying out?
years ago when i had a tank i never had this problem.