First Time for Live Plants

[benzjamin13]

I've been thinking of getting live plants for awhile now. So I finally got some today. I just dug them into the gravel. Anyspecial care for them? I got (reading from the label) a Tropica Fern (Microsorium Pleropus) and 3 White Ribbons (Dracaaena Sanderiene)

 

[spinnerbayt]

The fern is most likely just a java fern and should be ok. The White Ribbons I beleave are also known as Lucky Bamboo and are not a true aquatic plant and will not do good fully submersed and I would remove them. If this tank is just your standard setup with the light that came with it then I would stick to Java Fern, Java Moss, Anubias and maybe a few other low light plants.

 

[benzjamin13]

Here's some pictures of the plants and tanks...

 

[spinnerbayt]

First pic looks like it maybe a Frill Plant but not 100% sure. Second pic is Lucky Bamboo and will not do well fully submersed. Only the roots should be in the water. Third pic is a Java Fern and the Rhizome should not be under the gravel it will rot. You should attach it to a rock or some driftwood. If not then just cover roots with gravel and not the Rhizome.
If infact that is a Frill plant it may not do too hot after a while. They seem to like more intense light, so if you just have the standard strip that came with the tank it may not be enough but only time will tell.

 

[Dr Joe]

OOooo...Fresh fish food!

Seriously... What spinnerbayt said.

If they start to fade atleast you know what's happening.

Alot of marginals and terrestrial plants are sold as aquatic species, cause they last 6mos to a year underwater when their young. Gets them sold. When they die, you just think you did something wrong. Some are supposed to have the leaves float on the surface which isn't to pretty in a tank. Ever notice you don't see old (long or big) plants at the lfs...

And broad leaf plants need alot of light / co2 / nutrients.

You know from 50ft away, plastic plants look almost real...

Dr Joe

.

 

[benzjamin13]

First pic looks like it maybe a Frill Plant but not 100% sure. Second pic is Lucky Bamboo and will not do well fully submersed. Only the roots should be in the water. Third pic is a Java Fern and the Rhizome should not be under the gravel it will rot. You should attach it to a rock or some driftwood. If not then just cover roots with gravel and not the Rhizome.
If infact that is a Frill plant it may not do too hot after a while. They seem to like more intense light, so if you just have the standard strip that came with the tank it may not be enough but only time will tell.

Lame question...what's the Rhizome?

 

[Dr Joe]

Lame question...what's the Rhizome?

Easy answer... roots. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhizome

Dr Joe

.

 

[benzjamin13]

Thanks for the replies guys. I really appreciate it.

 

[epicfish]

First pic looks like it maybe a Frill Plant but not 100% sure. Second pic is Lucky Bamboo and will not do well fully submersed. Only the roots should be in the water. Third pic is a Java Fern and the Rhizome should not be under the gravel it will rot. You should attach it to a rock or some driftwood. If not then just cover roots with gravel and not the Rhizome.
If infact that is a Frill plant it may not do too hot after a while. They seem to like more intense light, so if you just have the standard strip that came with the tank it may not be enough but only time will tell.

Thanks for that...I just uprooted my java fern and tied it to some rock, lol. Ooops.