Plant growth

A

aquanewb7

AC Members
Sep 16, 2005
43
0
0
Alberta, Canada
33 gallon
heavily planted,
diy co2, 2 x 36w pc lights from AH Supply
Flourite substrate, Aquaclear 200 filter (no carbon)
125 w Ebo Jager heater (it's great!)

6 Bleeding Heart Tetras (thinking of adding my algae eating fish soon - should I wait or can I do that soon ? )
Ammonia and Nitrites are measuring 0
PH 7.2

I have had this tank set up for almost 2 weeks, and it is my first attempt at a planted tank and I think all is going quite well.
However, being new at this "plant thang", I am wondering about new growth in plants. I am seeing some of my plants with white colored shoots that come from the stem of the plant. (really evident in the Wisteria) I am assuming that this is new growth that will become more stems of the plant.
Can anyone enlighten me to the things that I can expect to see in the first month of a new planted tank??
List of plants: alot of them are Tropica Plants

Wisteria - going crazy with these hairy stem things growing from it !!
Anubias barteri (afzelii) - okay
Java Fern (undulata) - doing well
Cryptocoryne wendtii (Tropica) - slower growing but I can notice some change in this plant.
Echinodorus Angustifolius - doing well - giving tank a nice look
Elodea - not my favorite but doing well
Hygrophila polysperma(Rosanervig)- new growth and very colorful deep pink
Limnophila sessiliflora (ambulia) - turning brownish red at top - (due to light?)
Pennywort - is growing nicely - new leaves every couple of days
Ludwigia repens (Rubin) - leaves are very red - nice plant

Thanks and any suggestions would be greatly appreciated !
 
THe wisteria is growing fine - the white stems you see are its shoots to propagate even more. Beware - this plant can take over your tank!!!

Anubias barteri - is a very slow grower - will be difficult to see how it is doing right away. Look at your fast growers (like wisteria) to deterime how your tank is doing.

Java Fern - no comment - you say all is well

Cryptocoryne wendtii - again a slow grower. I like these because they survive in many types of tanks.

Echinodorus Angustifolius - not familiar with

Elodea - AKA Anacharis. I like this plant - easy to grow is is also a fast grower.

Hygrophila polysperma - can crowd itself out and this kill itself. Keep it pruned to prevent this.

Limnophila sessiliflora will turn brown/red due to higher lighting. The closer it gets to the light, the more it will turn. THis plant ime does NOT like hard water - FYI

Pennywort is a nother fast plant - I have heard this help compete algae because of toxins it produces - dont know for sure.

Ludwigia repens - never heard it called rubin - nonetheless can also crowd itself out.


Looks like you have a good assortment with close to the proper lighting. If your tank is cycled you can add and algae eater. I recommend SAE (Crossocheilus siamensis). Plecos can actually eat your plants if not careful. Ottos (Otocinclus affinis - i thnk) are a great choice as well.

Just some notes - keep your tank balanced with ferts because otherwise you might get an algae outbreak - bad experiences from that. I am not familiar with DIY CO2 - but have heard when near the end of the batch, CO2 pressure flucuates. Set of a strict regiment of dosing and water changes and you will be fine. I like to do one 40-50% water change once a week and two small water changes a week, ~5-10% total.

Oh yeah - can you post pics of this tank so we all can see ????? Gotta have pics!!!!!


Good Luck

Welcome to the wonderfully addictive world of plants.

Aries
 
I am going to do my water change today.
I will also be pruning some of the plants that are growing tall and sending out shoots and replanting the prunings. I did not get my algae eaters yesterday as the LFS was out of them. I am going to go with Otocinclus , should be able to get some by Friday.
I have a pic of the tank but it was taken with a flash and is not good ! I will take one later today when the tank water has settled down after the cleaning, pruning etc.

Thanks again!
 
Even though it is small pic (and I am blind), it looks great.

I like the driftwood.

One suggestion - try to hide the heater behind plants. IMO it sticks out like a sore thumb. Kind of like mine.

Nonetheless - looks good. I like the little dash of red behind the driftwood.

Photo tips - take pic from side or top (I prefer top) with pleny of ambient light and use the flash (this is matter of opinion - see which one turns out better is all). Digital camera LOVE light and need it too.

Here is a pic of my tank - it is somewhat blurry on the left because I rushed it. Taken with Konica Minolta Z1.



Aries
 
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