Plant newbie: take 2

[rolandk10]

After buying the "tube" plants from Petco that were not aquatic, I decided to get some java fern instead.

Although some of those tubes are aquatic, the "white ribbon" and "kyoto" I bought were not. I found out they were bog plants and would eventually melt if planted underwater.

So after reading around, I found that I only have enough light for a very low light plant. I have about 1w per gallon in my 125. I use 4 t5 aqua-glo 36" 30w bulbs.

So, I stopped at the LFS yesterday and asked them to help me find the fern. I didn't even know what it looked like! HAHA. I also saw their co2 system which was just a bottle of API CO2 booster.

To make a little longer story a little shorter, I pulled the petco plants out and tossed them. I planted the new java fern plants that I bought 6 of for $3.99 each. They had some dead leaves that I pulled and many of the bigger leaves have some brown spots. My guess is that all of the larger leaves will die off but all the plants do have new growth near the roots.

I am pretty sure at least one of the plants has already grown a little since yesterday.

I read a thread on MFK about CO2 systems and it mentioned that they aren't necessary for plant growth. I'm going to see what happens with the plants without supplementing them with CO2.

Should I still use fertilizer? Plant food? Which?

I know I'm making a big deal about Java Fern but it's my first time! I'm looking forward to watching the plants mature and slowly change the look of the tank.

 

[Cybercyde]

Having dealt with petsmart Java Fern... It will do much better at lower light. The tuber the leaves sprout from needs some access to water. It'll do better tied to your driftwood than buried. (I actually had some growing in my canister filter at one point - just sprouts)

It doesn't do well at all with algea. From the looks of your tank, this won't be as large an issue. ^_^

Best of luck.

 

[flip_mode]

looks good have a good time gardening. i have amazon swords and oriental swords both are easy to take care of and dont need much light.

 

[rolandk10]

Thanks. These aren't tube java ferns. These were from a tank at a fish only lfs...if that makes a difference.

I get some algea but I'm too ocd to leave it. If I see some during my evening coffee "stare-at-the-tank" time, I have to scrub it right away.

I'll see how these do for a while and then will definatly want to add some variety. I'll look at the swords.

Question about the comment to attach it to the driftwood. I was going to try that and still can since I have a bit of driftwood. Is this recommendation for stability? Or is it better to have the roots un-buried? I do have some concern about the pool sand being an adequate substraight for plants. I read a lot about plant soils but just got the sand and I'm not changing the substrate again.

I'm trying to start with as few variables as possible.

 

[flip_mode]

i have mine buried in river rock and the roots run like crazy but the plant doesnt grow in height very fast. there are products like the flourish tabs and liquid i havnt used either yet but they are out there. i have seen the co2 canisters but havnt used them either but i will try it one day

 

[aclockworkorange]

They generally do best attached to driftwood or rock but they will grow planted in substrate from personal experience.

 

[Jay88]

Oh nice, plants with oscars? mind telling me later on in the future if they lasted?

 

[rolandk10]

Oh nice, plants with oscars? mind telling me later on in the future if they lasted?

Yes. HAHA. I'll let you know. I'm curious myself. There's just the one oscar in there. He has been pretty good with the fake plants so far. The pleco seems more destructive in that he swims clumsily around and just knocks them over.

I did see the oscar "taste" a leaf last night. He swam up to a plant, put a large leaf in his mouth an spit it out. It didn't move the plant and he didn't seem interested in it after he tasted it.