Plants still not do too well....

A

Aries

"Umm...., what is that!!??"
Jan 19, 2003
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This is my 30G cichlid tank (specs at end). I have Cardinal Temple (Alternanthera cardinalis) which is doing poorly. It looks as if the leaves are dying off or rotting. My Micro Sword (Lilaeopsis novae-zelandiae) is barely staying alive. They all pearl a little with the Cardinal Temple pearling the most (which is a lot).

On the average side - my vals are staying somewhat alive as well as my amazon swords.

On the good side, my Asian Ambulia (Limnophila sesiliflora) is growing way too fast and looks very sparse because it grows so fast. It is also turning a tinge of brown or red. My Red Rubin Sword (Echinodorus ‘Rubin’) is growing like wildfire and doing EXCELLENT!!!!.

I will post pics when I get home.


Any Ideas????


SPECS
30G w/ XP2
96W CF 6700K on for 12H
Flourite, Crushed Coral, Black Gravel substrate mix.
Presurized CO2

PH = 7.4
KH = 14
CO2 = 16.721 (Chuck gadds calculator)
Fe = ~.5ppm
Ammonia = 0
NitrItes = 0
NitrAtes = ~10-15
Phosphate = ~.5
Potassium = unknown - dose ~20PPM on h2o change and 10 on following doses
10mL of Tropica Master Grow per dose

Aries
 
Pics

Here are some pics.

Cardinal Temple 1


Cardinal Temple 2


Cardinal Temple 3


Micro Sword 1


Micro Sword 2


Asian Ambulia


Red Rubin (doubled amount of healthy leaves in 1 month)


Thanks

Aries
 
Water too hard maybe? Most plants seem to prefer soft water....so a Cichlid tank and plants dont really go together.....just a thought. Seems like all your other levels are perfect......although is your C02 a bit low?
 
The hardness of the water is probably the anser to the problem of the Cardinalis. The Liliaopsis and Cardinalis are also probably not getting enough light. Try to get plants that can handle the hardness of the water. Anubius, onion bulb, ferns, crypts etc.

thePlantMan cometh...
 
I sympathize with you on the Cardinalis because I've had the same type results with CO2(30ppm) and twice the wpg that you are supplying.
I just finally gave up and moved on. I took comfort from reports of similar results from numerous folks along the way with this plant.
I have minimal experience with the lilaeopsis, but not great results with that plant and instead opted for E. Tenellus var. red with excellent results.
I just move on when after a few tries the payoff is lousy. You picked a tough one(IMO) with the Red Alternanthera, but there are other reds that would be easier and probably perform better for you.

Len
 
I am growing Red Alternanthera in my 55 gallon and ever since I started dosing N the thing has been doing amazing.....last time I tested my Nitrates were at 30ppm.....I know it seems high but my plants have never looked better. Try getting your Nitrate level higher....at least to 20ppm
 
The cichlids do not bother any of my plants for the most part. For some reason they like to chew on the Amazon swords every now and then - but for the most part are good tennants. They dont even bother rearraging my tank (I have under gravel tunnels).

I know my water is hard - but I dont think that is the case because I have other smaller "low tech" tanks that the plants are doing great in.

Len - can you suggest a good red stem plant for my situation - one that you have had luck with hopefully. I prefer stem because I have many non stem plants already (swords and lilaeopsis).
Also, E. Tenellus var. red is hard for me to find - I wanted it but could not find anyone that carried it - :rant:

I could try raising nitrates but the system is balanced as far as I know and I am hesitant in changing some of the parameters to keep it balanced. I may just count my losses and continue with another plant -grrrrr.

The Lilaeopsis is getting close to direct light from the bulb (no plants blocking the light). The bulb is coming due (been almost one year) to replace. Could that be the issue??? ALso, my glass hood gathers hard water deposits which I clean off every other water change. Should I do every water change?

I cant grow Anubius because it is too slow growing - algae tends to attack it. I can try crypts I think - I will have to do more research on them. The onion plants are just too big for my tank I think. I didnt think Limnophila sesiliflora did well in hard water - but it sure likes it there (in fact a little too well).

Oh, btw - I have some clover ground cover in there as well. I think it is Marsilea quadrifolia. I know it "sheds" it emersed leaves to grow submered leaves. But it is just hanging out as well. Not dying not growing.

Thanks for all the help and options everyone!!!

Aries
 
You could give ludwigia repens a try. It's not exactly a bright red when compared to other plants but has a nice tint and grows fast. Sunset hygro is another that is easy but is more pinkish in color.
 
"Len - can you suggest a good red stem plant for my situation - one that you have had luck with hopefully. I prefer stem because I have many non stem plants already (swords and lilaeopsis)."
Also, E. Tenellus var. red is hard for me to find - I wanted it but could not find anyone that carried it -"
John's suggestion of L. Repens is a one that I would agree with without reservation. Easy to grow and gets good color in good light.

I will have an abundance of E. Tenellus in the near future and send you some if you send me a PM with your address in it.

"The bulb is coming due (been almost one year) to replace." - What kind of bulb are we talking about here?

If you decide to try Cryptocoryne, pick up varieties with a red underleaf and/or 'Bronze' Crypts. They will add a bunch of color for you without much hassle.
They are easy to grow, and come in different sizes. If you do research it, check on mature heights for the varieties you're interested in, since you have a smaller tank.
I have some bronze wendtii (only 3" tall) in my 10 gal.(with repens, btw) and also with some red tiger lotus and red tenellus. Very colorful:). The tenellus actually is very close in height to the crypts. in that tank.
There is another plant that I haven't grown for a few years and all I can think of is 'indica'......can't remember the 'sir' name......someone will help me with that. Very nice stem that gets pink/red, again depending on the lighting.

[EDIT] - Just thought of it - Rotala Indica. Very nice, easy stem plant that gets good color with the right light.

Len
 
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