Plant ID
- Thread starter Jeffed76
- Start date
It looks like a ludwegia, maybe repens, with some algae issues. Stem plants can grow tall but sometimes the base of the plant doesn't get enough light to be healthy. How long have you had it?
Tells us more about you tank. Lighting? How much, what type & on for how long each day? Tank size? Fertilizers? What kind & how often?
Tells us more about you tank. Lighting? How much, what type & on for how long each day? Tank size? Fertilizers? What kind & how often?
- Lighting? BeamsWork DA FSPEC LED Aquarium Light 36 inch
- How much, what type & on for how long each day? at least 12 hours full light
- Tank size? 50 gallons
- Fertilizers? What kind & how often? None, should I be using some? Didn’t want to hurt the fishies
Well, 12 hours is too long. Try ~7 hours, use a timer. You can even split the time if that works for your tank viewing schedule. I haven't gone to LEDs yet so have no opinion on yours.
As for ferts, you need to test & see if you need to add them. A nitrate level between 5 & 20ppm (max). Also GH & KH tests can help. Test your tap water too. Most of us here on AC use API Master Freshwater kit. It looks like your other plants are sword plants? Those are primarily root feeders & would like a root tab fertilizer every 3 months. You should be in the habit of changing 30-50% water every week or so.
The top 1-3 inches of your stem plants look healthy. Let them get a few inches longer. Then you'll want to prune off the pretty tops, uproot & compost the ugly bottom parts & replant the tops. It depends on how fast they grow for you & how ugly the bottoms get as to how often you might need to do that. If you don't have naked stems or unhealthy leaves you can let them grow as long as you want.
As for ferts, you need to test & see if you need to add them. A nitrate level between 5 & 20ppm (max). Also GH & KH tests can help. Test your tap water too. Most of us here on AC use API Master Freshwater kit. It looks like your other plants are sword plants? Those are primarily root feeders & would like a root tab fertilizer every 3 months. You should be in the habit of changing 30-50% water every week or so.
The top 1-3 inches of your stem plants look healthy. Let them get a few inches longer. Then you'll want to prune off the pretty tops, uproot & compost the ugly bottom parts & replant the tops. It depends on how fast they grow for you & how ugly the bottoms get as to how often you might need to do that. If you don't have naked stems or unhealthy leaves you can let them grow as long as you want.
