need advice on pruning plants

[david]

The Amazon Swords look like they need a little pruning. Most leaves look great, a few are yellowing and others are obviously dying.

The Pygmy Chain Swords appear to be dissolving their original leaves in favor of new growth.

The Anubias are heavily covered with strings of algae (came that way). The Otos (bless them) have cleaned the surface but nobody wants to eat the algae at the edges. One stalk has lost it's leaf. One leaf has holes and slots, another has a dead spot the size of a dime.

Since this is my first planted tank, I am unsure about the pruning.

The tank is 2.5 weeks old, fully cycled and fully stocked. (see the link below for details)

Is it time to begin pruning?

How much should be removed?

Thanks,

[OrionGirl]

Dead and dying leaves should be removed. I use scissors to snip the leaf away as close to the stalk as I can. For algae covered leaves, manual removal of the algae will often work. For tough leaved plants like anubias, you can soak the plant in a 1:15 bleach solution for a minute, then rinse and replant.

[NJ Devils Fan]

Yea, I had to trim my amazon sword a few days ago because it was almost taking over the tank. Like OG said, cut as close to the bottom as you can. Amazons can get huge if not pruned.

[david]

Thanks for the replies. I also found a good article on pruning basics...

http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1998/june/aquatic/default.asp

http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1998/july/aquatic/default.asp

I cut off most of the dead, damaged or yellowing leaves and things are looking a little better.

Thanks!