newbie plant question

[Lund]

I have never cared for plants in my aquariums before. I have a medium to fine gravel substrate wich I have been putting my plants into. Is there a fertalizer that I should use to help my plants grow?

I have hornwart, and cocomba plants. And I am thinking of putting in some java moss, and some swords. Is java moss, and java fern two different plants? Or are they just two names for the same plant?

 

[Gooda]

Java moss and java fern are two different plants and they have the potential to overrun your tank, they are very hearty, and they don't need much for soil. Java fern will grow on a bare bottim tank.

I don't really do anything special for my plants except make sure they get enough lite. But my tank is not exactly what you would consider densly planted. My fish provide enough "fertilizer" but an iron supplement wouldn't hurt.

 

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

How long have you had your Cabomba for? They are pretty tricky and one of the few species for which I recommend the usage of CO2. (In my eyes not worth the efford, but it's personal preference) Your hornwort should be fine, it doesn't even need to be rooted. Java fern and moss are cool, I like them, you can always throw surplus plants out. A sword might also be a good idea, I cultivated one under a regular light bulb . As for fertilizers, get some quality liquid fertilizer like Tetra. And - most importantly - remove any carbon from your filter. It will adsorb plant nutrients and stun their growth. If you want to teat your plants get new lights every year, and pay attention to the spectrum. Even "plant" lights are sometimes bad, some are purple and don't help plants but greatly help algae...

Good luck,

HarleyK

 

[Katuluu]

Howdy,

How long have you had your Cabomba for? They are pretty tricky and one of the few species for which I recommend the usage of CO2. (In my eyes not worth the efford, but it's personal preference)

With Red Cabomba I'd agree, but Green Cabomba is absurdly easy to grow.

 

[Lund]

I have the green cocomba variety. I chose it because the fish store owner told me it was easy and hardy. As far as removing carbon from my filters, I have a penguin bio wheel. And all the filters I have already have the carbon inside. I don't thik there is a way to remove it. I'll have to look for a carbonless filter for it I suppose. Thanks for the help

 

[Katuluu]

Yank out the carbon filter pads in the penguin and replace it with filter floss or anything else that will promote biological filtration and some mechanical filtration.