Obviously I'm a novice so just to clear up the situation, the plant I bought is actually a "dwarf amazon sword". Sorry all... Does this change the situation significantly in terms of needs? From what I read they're fairly lenient in terms of lighting needs...
Rough Start to my Planted Aquarium
- Thread starter dansnyder
- Start date
The reason why i suggest doing 1-2 bulbs is because when setting up a planted tank you have much more room for error with lower light because your plant demands will be much lower. Therefore if you don't have good diffusion of co2 or dose ferts your tank won't be over run with algae. I would set up a balance first try to get some good growth for 2-3 weeks try to work on your co2 diffusion (there are many ways you can mix co2 with water my personal favorite is the co2 mist method where you put an air stone under the intake of a water pump. Next step try to dial in your fertalizers. If you still want your growth to be faster then increase your lighting. This should be the last step.
Just remember the higher the light the more demanding your plants become.
Just remember the higher the light the more demanding your plants become.
This changes up a lot. 1st the roots need to be burried and UNTIED from the wood. They are heavy root feeders so you might need to add root tabs.
Here is a profile of the Echinodorus Quadricostatus Broad leaf Dwarf Amazon Sword
http://www.plantsalive.co.uk/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=485
Bury the roots and use a Jobes palm and fern spike,(for houseplants).
Many plants will have most or all the leaves die when you first put them in, especially when they are the plants that come in the tubes because the leaves have been out of the water. New leaves will be fine.
Many plants will have most or all the leaves die when you first put them in, especially when they are the plants that come in the tubes because the leaves have been out of the water. New leaves will be fine.
This seems like a very good suggestion. I'm a bit overwhelmed with the live plant world so I definitely need a starting point and this seems to be a good idea. I'll keep the light at a reasonable level (2 bulbs) until I get good growth. I'll hold off from buying plants until I get a hold on the process.
Can I get the Jobes fert spikes at lowes or some store like that?
Yeah you can get them there. you may also consider Osmocote. I use Osmocote and love it. Never tried The Jobes sticks although i know of plenty of people who have used them with great success.
Hello DUB, :frog:
Please tell us about your use of Osmocote in the tank. I have this at home for my houseplants as it is a slow release fertilizer.
How much do you use per med. size plant?
How often to do re-plenish each plant with fertilizer?
Tell us all UR dirty little under water secrets, please. :y220d:
Please tell us about your use of Osmocote in the tank. I have this at home for my houseplants as it is a slow release fertilizer.
How much do you use per med. size plant?
How often to do re-plenish each plant with fertilizer?
Tell us all UR dirty little under water secrets, please. :y220d:
In my tanks the java ferns seem to do 100% better in cooler waters. I have them in takes that are 70, 76 and about 84 degrees and although they all grow the one in the 70 degree tank FLOURISHES.
