Plants & C02 - very discouraged!

Cruise Control

Cruise Control

AC Members
May 12, 2004
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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
I finally did it! Last weekend I planted the Java Moss and Glossostigma! Problem is, I can't seem to see much difference in them even after about 6 days! The Glossos seem to float up after about 2 days even though I planted them just below the leaf. Could my onyx gravel be too loose for it? I have it layered the onyx gravel with a plant-only substrate (not sure what it is exactly, it's the colour of clay - flourite? See image below.)

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I really want my Java Moss to form my moss wall at least! I can worry about the carpet effect on my substrate later. What could be the problem? How long do I have to wait before C02 takes its effect on plants? I'm getting about 1 bubble every 5 seconds. I'm getting a kH tester hopefully this weekend so I'll have to test first and use the calculator. Will revert with the details. I'm not adding any fertilizers at the moment. Is it necessary with Java Moss?

And I'm letting the bubbles float straight into my powerhead, which is connected to my HOB (I think). The water from the powerhead flows through a tube into a box filled with filter wool, after which it flows through a hole in the box back into the tank. Minimal splashing when the water flows back into the tank (the outlet pipe is under the water line) Could the C02 loss be too much when the water goes through the filter wool?

Tank : 24x12x12 (15 Gallon)
Light : 2.4WPG
C02 : DIY (18bpm)
 
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well, java moss is pretty slow growing. it probably will take a while before it'll take off. mine is finally starting to cover the driftwood I put it on after a couple months. Don't expect results overnight though. just wait it out. also, dosing some general application fertilizer will help. Flourish is a good one. Also, do you have fish in the tank? if know you'll need to dose nitrates, potassium, and phosphates as well. If you do have fish, they should take care of most of the macros for you. HTH
 
I do have some fish about 8 fish around 1.5in each. Should I start dosing so fast? I just planted about a week ago.

And what kind of fertilizers am I look at? I just plan on printing this page out and taking it to the LFS to get some ferts so I know exactly what to fert.

Have I thanked you guys yet? Well, thank you!
 
It will take some time for java moss to take off. That is a super slow growing plant. Then one day it will be all over the tank.

I am not a plant expert but if you are adding CO2 then you need to add fertilizers to balance things out. The plants can only use as much CO2 as they have light and fertilizers. There is always a limiting factor somewhere that you need to balance.
 
I am using leaf zone its just potash and iron. I am not heavily planting just 3 java ferns and java moss but they are growing very well and thats the only thing I do besides good water changes, and regular testing of my water.

I used just a plant bulb on my tank 12 hours a day

My fern is multiplying and growing very well 2 new plantlets seperated many more on the leaves.
 
I agree, I don't think that either of those are particularly fast growing. Do you have any stem plants in there? I find that they're a little more useful for guaging growth.

Sounds like a pretty intense CO2 reactor, maybe a little overkill, but that's ok, you're probably not losing much gas.

If you don't already have NO3 and PO4 test kits, get 'em.

Have you downloaded Chuck Gadd's aquarium calculator?

Read the fert. sticky for details, but in general:
KNO3 - potassium nitrate (for nitrate)
fleet enema (for phosphate)
KCl/K2SO4 (for potassium, if you need it, read plantbrain's sticky)
trace element mix

These are your basic components. There are plenty of products by Seachem and Kent that provide mixes in various ratios of these, it's all outlined in the sticky.

Don't be discouraged by the growth rate, they're not fast plants.
 
Cruiseperson -
Get a kH test kit first of all.
Glosso needs to be planted deeply to hold, especially if you keep Corys, or Plecos. Even Otos will pull them.
Plant them so that you see nothing but part of the top tips of the leaf on each plantlet. Plant with tweezers.
Sounds like you have enough light.
Did I mention GET A kH TEST KIT!!!!!

Johnny -
You may not need too much fert. dosing depending on fish load, wattage and tank size.

Len
 
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