Noob question, what is plant "pearling"?

its when they photosynthesize and bubbles are stuck to the leaves.
something like this:
http://www.aquamindlaboratory.com/am2/am2picture2/75-3_061204.jpg

Actually it is when plants synthesize and the water is saturated with oxygen. The oxygen being produced isn't able to dissolve in the water fast enough, and so it forms on the leaves. At least, this is the way I understand it.

Sammie7 said:

Actually it is when plants synthesize and the water is saturated with oxygen. The oxygen being produced isn't able to dissolve in the water fast enough, and so it forms on the leaves. At least, this is the way I understand it.

Click to expand...

Yep, you're pretty much right.

Either the oxygen can't dissolve fast enough, or it's already super-saturated in the water, and so it must leave in gaseous form. That's where the bubbles come from. =)

Just because plants don't pearl it doesn't mean they' re not healthy. It just means your water isn't super-saturated with water. Don't look to pearl as the number one sign your plants are doing well, as it may lead to unnecessary disappointment. Also it would probably help if you injected CO2 into your tank. As if you have lighting above 2 wpg the plants need more nutrients or else they will starve. Higher lighting makes them work harder and faster, so the run out of nutrients. When you get into high lighting tanks, you have to start dosing macro and micro ferts on a stable schedule. Also CO2 injection will help keep algae away. In a tank your size, 20 gallons, you could still do diy CO2 with good results. However, it seems you only have anacharis which pretty much grows anywhere( exept in my tank) and an amazon sword, which will probably soon outgrow your tank. Seeing as you haven't really got a fully planted tank I wouldn't worry. Just a question, but why do you have such high lighting on your tank? If you need me to elaborate on anything just ask.

This is pearling

TwoTankAmin, why do you have a banana in your ear? Why can you not hear me? Do you only have one ear? : Sorry, for my randomness.