Please help how do I prune Hygrophila SP

[Phyroath]

Hi everyone! I have just added more plants into my 29G tank. One of the plants I am not sure tends to be Hygrophila Sp (pic attached). A week after planting, I see some small roots came out between its stems above the base roots then two new side shoots below. If I want to prune this plant, how long I should wait and where to cut the mother plant?

I also have brown algae which I don't know how to deal with. Appreciate all your help.

 

[Bk718]

The plant is willow hygro, once the new stems that came out of the mother plant are big enough 3-4" or so you can cut them off at the base (where they came out of the mother plant) and replant them

 

[Phyroath]

Thanks BK. Should I cut the mother plant or the new stems?

 

[Bk718]

I would cut the new stems off the mother plant, theres no point in cutting the mother plant, let it grow out more. I also have some in my 29g and they are huge, wait till yours outgrows the tank then consider a trim. Though you dont really have to trim the new stems yet, let them grow and the plant will appear bushier = nicer

 

[Phyroath]

I am very happy with info and your advice and hope I do not have to buy more from my lfs. I like this plant that I hide my worry over the brown algae as I do not want to disturb the plant. Thanks once again.

 

[Bk718]

Np..
How about posting some info on the tank. How long its been up, whats the lighting/how many hrs, any co2/ferts. fish stock

Brown algae can be caused by very low light conditions, a new tank/substrate/stones/decor or other source of silicates such as tap water.

 

[Phyroath]

BK, kindly find the details of my tank
Tank: 29g
Lighting: Two 20w fluorescent tube bulbs.
CO2: DIY CO2 (average 1 bubble per second).
Fert: I dose all purpose dry fert - It is more for house plant because it is impossible to find aquarium fert like Flourish in my country.
Substrate: River gravel
Water condition: Not tested.

I setup this tank for 3 months now moving everything from my 60g tank while keep moving plants around. My tank exposes to direct sunlight for about 45 min in the morning. I make 20% water change weekly - 3 weeks ago I used tape water then out come the brown algae. I am trying to block direct sunlight but still i got that algae. I am not sure it is from the tape water or the substrate. If tape water is the cause, how can I treat this? My substrate contains some white grains of gravel, are they silicates?

 

[Bk718]

How long do you keep your lights on? 40w over a 29g.. for some of the plants you have in the tank it will be not enough lighting, but it seems like your plants are doing well so i could be wrong.

I actually had the same "river" gravel in my 10g tank and also experienced brown algae with it, after a few gravel vacs, water changes and manual cleaning of algae from the glass, it eventually just went away.