A few questions for the plant experts!

[Mokomon]

I am totally new to planted tanks, and have a 55 gal, low tech setup
My total wattage is 96.
I have not dosed any ferts; just using good old fashioned fish poop

Here are pics of when I 1st planted (4 weeks ago), & the plants now



I don't think they're coming along too badly, but I have a few questions

First of all, what is that growing on my Java fern? Is it "supposed" to do that?

Secondly, my wisteria is turning darkish in some spots, but as you can see, has some nice new growth.


My water lettuce seems to dbl every day




Should I just leave things alone, or should I dose Excel?




All comments are greatly appreciated!

 

[Star_Rider]

the stuff on the java fern is the start of plantlets.
it'll start looking really ragged as the plantlets get larger.

 

[Mokomon]

I forgot to mention that I only had the standard 32 wt bulb on the tank for the 1st 3 weeks

 

[jpappy789]

I can't really tell from the pics but if your java ferns have also had blackish brown dots on them then those are the baby plantlets...the strings could be the new roots but I really can't see well enough from the picture. Otherwise it may just be a sort of hair algae growing.

Dosing excel occasionally probably wouldn't hurt. Not sure how much help it would be though as things seem to be growing well for you. Nice tank!

 

[Mokomon]

Thanks guys!!

I was just worried that upping the wattage from 32 to 96 might cause some algae issues.

That's cool that the java fern is "supposed" to do that

 

[beeZer350]

What are you using for your substrate?

 

[Mokomon]

How often would you suggest dosing Excel?

 

[Mokomon]

What are you using for your substrate?

Just plain, ole gravel

 

[jpappy789]

How often would you suggest dosing Excel?

I dose "every-so-often"...definitely as often is suggested by seachem.

Thanks guys!!

I was just worried that upping the wattage from 32 to 96 might cause some algae issues.

That's cool that the java fern is "supposed" to do that

Yeah, it freaked me out at first...I thought it was rotting. And if java fern wasn't surviving in my tank I knew I was failing at caring for plants. :grinyes:

 

[Mokomon]

Yeah, it freaked me out at first...I thought it was rotting. And if java fern wasn't surviving in my tank I knew I was failing at caring for plants. :grinyes:

*giggle*

My first thought exactly!