Hygrophila difformis question

[Biotoper]

I've had my 75 gal tank planted for about 3 wks (finished my fishless cycle 1 wk ago and started adding fish). I planted 3 H. difformis and they don't seem to be doing much, and I was wondering if there was anything I could do to help them. They came potted in that wool foam, which I left on to serve as a source of bacteria to speed up cycling, and they were emergent (only unlobed leaves). After planting, they quickly straightened all their stem towards the light, but dropped about half their main stem leaves over the first few days, and now they just stay the same - not losing any leaves, not growing any. They had a lot of root mass when I planted them but maybe they're focusing on new root growth? They also have a some brown algae growth on the leaves.

Relevant tank info:
2x40W Chroma50 and 2x40W 6500K Daylight Deluxe. I don't have a light timer yet, but I've been doing about 14/10 light/dark.
Substrate is 1"-3" ~60/40 flourite/sand.
In the process of setting up 2x2L DIY CO2, but not up and running yet.
pH 7.8 (hoping the CO2 will decrease that to high 6's)
dKH 4-5 (tap is 2-3 dKH and pH 8.4 - I've been adding baking soda in prep for my CO2, but will get some crushed coral for long term)
NH3 and NO2 at 0, NO3 ~10 ppm.
I've got about a 1/4 cup carbon in the filter tray - I haven't got around to taking it out - it's been in there for about a month while I had the water/substrate/rocks circulating before I planted.
No fertilizer used yet

My Vallis is doing well, with most sending out runners. The Rotala is growing somewhat, a good bit of adventitious roots and starting to produce side shoots lower down. The Crypts lost most of their leaves but all have produced 1-4 new leaves - their leaves have a good bit of brown algae growth.

Most of the rocks and the sandy areas have lots of brown algae, but I kind of like it - looks natural and produces tons of air bubbles.

Whew, that was a long message. Thanks for reading and any advice you can give me.

[beviking]

Other than adding ferts and CO2, I'd say there's nothing else you can do to help them. They may still be acclimating to the change (didn't specify how long they have been in there) but once they're ready, they'll grow steady enough for you.
Good luck.

[Timmain42]

I saw where you observed the plant roots in "wool foam," but didn't see where you got rid of it.

Ditch the wool and any "pots" the plants may have come in.

[Swimfins]

I was thinking the same thing. Why did you keep the wool foam? Its only for packing and should be removed for planting. Also, those metal sinkers that are wrapped around the root area should be loose or else removed completely. I found they restrict the roots from spreading. My plants do fine once the roots have taken. If one floats, I just replant it until it catches.

I also have hygro deformis, nice color, hasn't lost any lower leaves. I removed the foam and the lead sinkers. I was wondering if in time the lead might be poisionous. Anyone?

[beviking]

Most of the weight are a zinc (I believe) alloy. At least its something other than lead.

[Biotoper]

As I was doing a fishless cycle, I read that the foam was a good source of bacteria, so I left it on. I guess that was a bad idea. The plants came rooted in the foam within plastic pots (which I did remove) with lots of roots coming out the bottom of the pots. They've been planted in my aquarium for about three wks.

So I pulled them up and removed the foam, to find most of the roots and stem bases soft and brown. And they had rubber bands holding them together inside the foam - doh! So I removed all the rotten stuff to a little below the first green lateral meristems and replanted them. I'll keep my fingers crossed. Thanks for your help.

[Samala]

I just planted H. difformis in my own tank about two weeks ago. I didnt have CO2 on my tank either until last week and growth was super super slow until the CO2 went on. (I'm also doing the soda bottle DIY.) I've got about 40W over a 20gal long with 5700K bulbs, and I'm dosing PMDD at 1ml a week. I noticed that my difformis didnt grow much either at first, and it does seem to focus on getting a firm grip in the substrate. (I'm using Schultz Aquatic soil.) Growth this past week has been pretty good, about a new leaf pair every day and lots of pearling. So give it some time. I would imagine your algae issues will disappear once the difformis gets a foothold and starts soaking up the excess nutrients. :)

Now, MY question on my own difformis is - why is it growing more horizontally than vertically? Any ideas guys?

>Sarah