how often is too often to rescape a planted tank?
- Thread starter BettaFishMommy
- Start date
I don't think there's a "too often" (at least I hope not). Some plants don't like to be moved though, like crypts. I think it just depends on the tank... and your level of ADD...
Just remember that every time you change it around you will be stirring up the bottom. This could give you algae problems. Also when you change them around trim the roots and remove leaves that are showing signs of deterioration.
If the plants are showing signs of stress, it is too often.
When the plants say "Oh no they're coming again!", it's too often.
When the plants jump out of the tank and run from you, it is too often.
When the plants latch on to each other and it becomes a tug-of-war, it is too often.
When the plants go on strike and refuse to do anything, it's probably too often.
If the plants start screaming when you walk into the room, it is probably too often.
When the plants say "Oh no they're coming again!", it's too often.
When the plants jump out of the tank and run from you, it is too often.
When the plants latch on to each other and it becomes a tug-of-war, it is too often.
When the plants go on strike and refuse to do anything, it's probably too often.
If the plants start screaming when you walk into the room, it is probably too often.
could you elaborate please on how stirring up the substrate will increase the likelyhood of algae? i've never heard of this before (mind you, i am fairly new to the planted tank realm, lol).
It all depends on what type of plants you are growing.
If the species has very little roots and enjoys floating it doesn't matter.
If the plant has lots of roots then everytime you mess with it you damage the root system. This can greatly hamper the growth of the plant and kill some plants that are more sensitive.
Generally it is best to keep moving the plants to a minimum. One of the most difficult tricks when working with plants is arranging them for their adult size when they are just babies. Not the easiest thing to do when your are never quite sure how the plant will react in your tank. I'm pretty bad at it myself.
If the species has very little roots and enjoys floating it doesn't matter.
If the plant has lots of roots then everytime you mess with it you damage the root system. This can greatly hamper the growth of the plant and kill some plants that are more sensitive.
Generally it is best to keep moving the plants to a minimum. One of the most difficult tricks when working with plants is arranging them for their adult size when they are just babies. Not the easiest thing to do when your are never quite sure how the plant will react in your tank. I'm pretty bad at it myself.
On stirring up the substrate, the plants pull nutrients out of the mulm caught in the substrate. If the mulm stays put only the plants can use it but if it gets kicked up into the water column algae can use it instead. IMO, this is only really a problem if you have a ton of mulm and the tank conditions are right for algae. I've never personally had an algae outbreak after kicking up mulm.
I agree.
Plants like crypts especially do not like moving around, which is why they sometimes melt.