Things seem to be going well, in spite of a few fumbles, and the tank with five livebearers (I know, I'm no good) has been cycling for four weeks and the new plants, 24 altogether, have been in the gravel for two weeks,today. Let me point out that cycling with fish wasn't my first choice but I am limited by the fact that I don't get around too well and must depend on the schedules of my hubby to do all the local footwork. This is the same guy who bought over a cord (two, tightly-packed pickup loads) of driftwood for me because I couldn't find anything locally that I liked. So anyway, off he went to the local Wally with a list of two zebras OR two molllies to start the tank cooking, and home he came with seven fishes, three mollies and four platies, five of which were males. Sadly, my two favorites met an early demise on the intake of a powerhead, which has since been adjusted down, and the five that are left are growing fast, active and brimming with appetites of all kinds. The plants I ordered from MA arrived after two weeks and were planted the same day. That was quite an ordeal for two old, fat, blind folks...picture my husband, up to his armpits in water and blindly attempting to poke plants into the gravel, and me from the front holding the towel and shouting directions and encouragement!
So, two weeks later and upon close inspection this morning I find the micranthemem umbrosum, Baby Tears are showing new growth and sending out roots towards the gravel. The hygrophilia difformis, Wistera, is doing the same and the new growth is even greater. The big cryptocoryne ciliatas, although virtually all of the existing leaves were banged up and torn, is continuing on with the new growth and two have shot up what looks like bermuda grass shoots, internodes and all. They are very sturdy and are coming from the center of the plants so it must be all good. The ludwigia repens seems to be growing and is sending out roots near the bottom and the valisneria spiralis is shooting out new plantlets and in spite of the frazzled edges, looks to be thriving. This leaves only the Red Melon Sword and the bananna plant, a freebie which is making endless circles and will eventually have to be weighted down, apparently, to root. Now, I hate to ask this question, but should we have taken the Sword out of its little plastic pot? I'm thinking, now, that it would have been a good idea...
How soon is it apparent that a plant isn't doing well? It's only been two weeks, but I think everything looks pretty good. I'm surprised and pleased at the fast growth and almost daily entertainment value from observing the changes in the plant life of my tank. Now, if only that male platy weren't such a jerk!
So, two weeks later and upon close inspection this morning I find the micranthemem umbrosum, Baby Tears are showing new growth and sending out roots towards the gravel. The hygrophilia difformis, Wistera, is doing the same and the new growth is even greater. The big cryptocoryne ciliatas, although virtually all of the existing leaves were banged up and torn, is continuing on with the new growth and two have shot up what looks like bermuda grass shoots, internodes and all. They are very sturdy and are coming from the center of the plants so it must be all good. The ludwigia repens seems to be growing and is sending out roots near the bottom and the valisneria spiralis is shooting out new plantlets and in spite of the frazzled edges, looks to be thriving. This leaves only the Red Melon Sword and the bananna plant, a freebie which is making endless circles and will eventually have to be weighted down, apparently, to root. Now, I hate to ask this question, but should we have taken the Sword out of its little plastic pot? I'm thinking, now, that it would have been a good idea...
How soon is it apparent that a plant isn't doing well? It's only been two weeks, but I think everything looks pretty good. I'm surprised and pleased at the fast growth and almost daily entertainment value from observing the changes in the plant life of my tank. Now, if only that male platy weren't such a jerk!
