So many questions on plants...

J

JimT

AC Members
Feb 22, 2005
27
0
0
Indiana
I've read quite a bit about fishkeeping on this board, and I've picked up bits and pieces of info on plants. I've also talked to the LFS some and received some advice from them. I've still got a ton of questions on plants though.

Currently I'm running a goldfish tank, 125 gallons, gravel, with a UGF. Lighting is 2 (apparently generic) flourescent lights. I have plants in there now. 3 or 4 java ferns and one anubias.

What can I do to make the plants grow better? I'd like to keep it simple. My tank is more about the fish than the plants. Having to add fertilizer and such doesn't appeal to me, plus I guess I'm afraid it'll screw up the chemistry somehow.
Will better lighting make a difference?

How should I place these plants?? LFS says to trim java fern roots then place under a rock. I did this with one, forgot about it and moved it. The fern had pebbles attached to it's roots. Should I do this with all the ferns? Will they root into the substrate this way?

LFS says to wedge anubias under rock, but not to cover the rhizome?? :huh: If I put the rhizome under the gravel, will the plant die? I figured since I have a UGF with powerheads, it should be pulling plenty of water past the roots.

I'd really like to have the plants rooted in the substrate, and growing. They appear to be surviving that the moment.

Thanks,
Jim
 
You can plant Java ferns and Anubias in the substrate, just be careful not to cover the rhizome or they will rot. These plants do well if you tie them to a rock or piece of driftwood with cotton thread or an elastic band - their roots will attach in much the same way as ivy clings to the sides of buildings.
JimT said:
What can I do to make the plants grow better? I'd like to keep it simple. My tank is more about the fish than the plants. Having to add fertilizer and such doesn't appeal to me, plus I guess I'm afraid it'll screw up the chemistry somehow.
Will better lighting make a difference?
Click to expand...
I'd recommend adding some stems if you want to keep plants that grow quickly, but your goldies will munch on them ;)
I once saw Tom describe lighting as the accelerator pedal, which I think is a great analogy - IMO if there isn't enough fuel (read: no added ferts or CO2), stepping on the gas (read: adding more light) may not do any good - in fact, it may result in algae blooms. If you want to add light to increase the rate of growth, you'll need to balance it with ferts and possibly CO2 (depending on how much light you add) to avoid problems with algae.
 
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