Hi,
I have recently set up my first tank and am having trouble with getting my plants established and growing well. I have done my best to read and learn as much as possible (and choose suitable equipment) but unfortunately my plants aren't in the condition I'd like. I have the following plants in my tank:
1. Hemianthus callitrichoides
2. Pogostemon Helferi
3. Blyxa Japonica Dwarf
4. Blyxa Aubertii
5. Anubias Barterii
I have the Nutrafin Co2 Natural Plant System set up, and have lights on for 10 hours per day (on a timer). I do a weekly 25% water change and add plant fertilisers at the same time. I'm using ADA Amazonian Aqua Soil with plant substrate undreneath.
The problems I have are:
1. The Blyxa Aubertii I've put in front of the filter to hide it from view. This has resulted in the water flow breaking the top off all the leaves so they look really ratty. I'm now not sure if I should cut the leaves back and if so, how? I'm also losing a lot of the leaves as they are coming away from the base. I'd really like to hide the filter with plants but I'm not sure how if this is the problem I get?
2. The Hemianthus callitrichoides I was hoping would grow into a nice carpet, however I've ended up with raggedy straggly growth. I think I need to prune them but I'm really not sure how to go about this? I also think perhaps I need to add more.
3. All the plants get a bit of brown algae on them. I try to wipe this off each week but it's growing back. I've followed all the instructions for dealing with algae (no direct sunlight, lights on a timer, lots of plants etc) but with no luck. The tank is only 6 weeks old so perhaps it's still getting established.
4. I had trouble planting the HC as it kept on coming away from the gravel. I've heard that I should be using tweezers to plant it. Is that right?
5. I'm not entirely convinced I have put the plants in the right place and that it's all working together well. No doubt I'm comparing my tank to tanks created by people with years of experience but if anyone has any feedback on the setup I've created that'd be most appreciated. (I don't seem to be able to upload an image sorry - does anyone know how I'm best to do this? I can email these to anyone who would like to see them.)
If anyone could give me any advice and any pruning knowledge that'd be most appreciated.
Thanks a lot!
I have recently set up my first tank and am having trouble with getting my plants established and growing well. I have done my best to read and learn as much as possible (and choose suitable equipment) but unfortunately my plants aren't in the condition I'd like. I have the following plants in my tank:
1. Hemianthus callitrichoides
2. Pogostemon Helferi
3. Blyxa Japonica Dwarf
4. Blyxa Aubertii
5. Anubias Barterii
I have the Nutrafin Co2 Natural Plant System set up, and have lights on for 10 hours per day (on a timer). I do a weekly 25% water change and add plant fertilisers at the same time. I'm using ADA Amazonian Aqua Soil with plant substrate undreneath.
The problems I have are:
1. The Blyxa Aubertii I've put in front of the filter to hide it from view. This has resulted in the water flow breaking the top off all the leaves so they look really ratty. I'm now not sure if I should cut the leaves back and if so, how? I'm also losing a lot of the leaves as they are coming away from the base. I'd really like to hide the filter with plants but I'm not sure how if this is the problem I get?
2. The Hemianthus callitrichoides I was hoping would grow into a nice carpet, however I've ended up with raggedy straggly growth. I think I need to prune them but I'm really not sure how to go about this? I also think perhaps I need to add more.
3. All the plants get a bit of brown algae on them. I try to wipe this off each week but it's growing back. I've followed all the instructions for dealing with algae (no direct sunlight, lights on a timer, lots of plants etc) but with no luck. The tank is only 6 weeks old so perhaps it's still getting established.
4. I had trouble planting the HC as it kept on coming away from the gravel. I've heard that I should be using tweezers to plant it. Is that right?
5. I'm not entirely convinced I have put the plants in the right place and that it's all working together well. No doubt I'm comparing my tank to tanks created by people with years of experience but if anyone has any feedback on the setup I've created that'd be most appreciated. (I don't seem to be able to upload an image sorry - does anyone know how I'm best to do this? I can email these to anyone who would like to see them.)
If anyone could give me any advice and any pruning knowledge that'd be most appreciated.
Thanks a lot!