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6 Posts
The build:
Screen sifted Organic Potting mix [Kellogg Organic] (1 inch)
Coarse black gravel ( 1.5-1.75 inches)
"Stump" Constructed from 3 pcs Driftwood waterlogged in bucket beforehand
100W Heater set to 72 / Thermometer / Magnet scrubber
I have a slight concern with respect to the driftwood preventing air circulation in the soil, but decided to risk it with the relatively minimal weight/contact area from this configuration. Happy to hear if others think this will be a problem long term, for now I don't think this is the culprit of any issues.
The planting (vision):
Plant seven different types of aquatic plants, some might die from alepothy but hopefully a couple take off and we can work from there.
The planting (actual):
6 Pots - Monte Carlo
1 Bunch - Alternanthera Rosanervig
1 Bunch - Ludwigia Natans Super Red (These lost most leaves in travel)
1 Bunch - Rotala Indica
2 Bunch - Bacopa Caroliniana
1 Bunch - Eleocharis montevidensis
1 Bunch - Ludwigia palustris
1 Ball - Flame moss
This was my first attempt at planting anything aquatic so this was interesting. I couldn't figure how much to break down the Monte Carlo so I varied it with some single shoots while leading some others in larger ¼ pot clumps.
Floating plants were to be added once the plants had a chance to get established. Especially wanted to see the Monte Carlo root before taking up any light with floaters.
When looking at my vision, I thought it had turned out pretty good, I immediately noticed the Bacopa and Rotala in the back right were not getting any light due to the angle of the light and the stump - I ordered a second light which is seen from day 3 forward.
Here is my first question: Is this planted heavy enough? I know people say plant heavy to start with so I fear this may not have been enough.
Days 1-3 minimal change:
Tannins leaking from the driftwood
Initial Ammonia reading over 0.5 drop to 0.25 after the second day
Nitrite and Nitrates remain 0
Day 4
Slight biofilm starts to form.
Thin whisps of bacteria (?) can be seen
Hair algae is found in 3 places and removed
Days 5-8
None of the plants seem to take.
Everything is slowly withering as leaves are detaching from stem plants
Monte Carlo is turning brown and those along the glass show little to no root formation
Bacteria clouds start to form under the biofilm and slowly float down throughout the day
Ammonia/Nitrite/Nitrate have all gone to 0. Nitrate is slowly increasing but hasn’t hit 5 yet.
At this point I’m not sure what to do - all the plants* are slowly dying and the white cloud of bacteria seems worse each day.
*Giant Hair grass may be doing fine. It's hard to tell without any leaves to fall off.
I’m fairly sure the bacteria is from all the decaying plant matter but I’d like some insight on where I went wrong - and if there is a chance to fix it.
Should I start doing daily water changes to combat bacteria? Or am I still cycling and will WC just slow things down? Is removal of biofilm in the morning (paper towel method) enough to allow the plants to get established?
I've gone all over the place and interested to hear other's thoughts, mine are:
Thanks.
--- Updated with imgur images
Screen sifted Organic Potting mix [Kellogg Organic] (1 inch)
Coarse black gravel ( 1.5-1.75 inches)
"Stump" Constructed from 3 pcs Driftwood waterlogged in bucket beforehand
100W Heater set to 72 / Thermometer / Magnet scrubber

I have a slight concern with respect to the driftwood preventing air circulation in the soil, but decided to risk it with the relatively minimal weight/contact area from this configuration. Happy to hear if others think this will be a problem long term, for now I don't think this is the culprit of any issues.
The planting (vision):
Plant seven different types of aquatic plants, some might die from alepothy but hopefully a couple take off and we can work from there.

The planting (actual):
6 Pots - Monte Carlo
1 Bunch - Alternanthera Rosanervig
1 Bunch - Ludwigia Natans Super Red (These lost most leaves in travel)
1 Bunch - Rotala Indica
2 Bunch - Bacopa Caroliniana
1 Bunch - Eleocharis montevidensis
1 Bunch - Ludwigia palustris
1 Ball - Flame moss
This was my first attempt at planting anything aquatic so this was interesting. I couldn't figure how much to break down the Monte Carlo so I varied it with some single shoots while leading some others in larger ¼ pot clumps.
Floating plants were to be added once the plants had a chance to get established. Especially wanted to see the Monte Carlo root before taking up any light with floaters.

When looking at my vision, I thought it had turned out pretty good, I immediately noticed the Bacopa and Rotala in the back right were not getting any light due to the angle of the light and the stump - I ordered a second light which is seen from day 3 forward.
Here is my first question: Is this planted heavy enough? I know people say plant heavy to start with so I fear this may not have been enough.
Days 1-3 minimal change:
Tannins leaking from the driftwood
Initial Ammonia reading over 0.5 drop to 0.25 after the second day
Nitrite and Nitrates remain 0
Day 4
Slight biofilm starts to form.
Thin whisps of bacteria (?) can be seen
Hair algae is found in 3 places and removed

Days 5-8
None of the plants seem to take.
Everything is slowly withering as leaves are detaching from stem plants
Monte Carlo is turning brown and those along the glass show little to no root formation
Bacteria clouds start to form under the biofilm and slowly float down throughout the day
Ammonia/Nitrite/Nitrate have all gone to 0. Nitrate is slowly increasing but hasn’t hit 5 yet.

At this point I’m not sure what to do - all the plants* are slowly dying and the white cloud of bacteria seems worse each day.
*Giant Hair grass may be doing fine. It's hard to tell without any leaves to fall off.
I’m fairly sure the bacteria is from all the decaying plant matter but I’d like some insight on where I went wrong - and if there is a chance to fix it.
Should I start doing daily water changes to combat bacteria? Or am I still cycling and will WC just slow things down? Is removal of biofilm in the morning (paper towel method) enough to allow the plants to get established?
I've gone all over the place and interested to hear other's thoughts, mine are:
- Everything is fine and the old leaves are just going to fall off and new ones will sprout 😬 (I wish)
- The tank is cycling and something (ammonia?) is getting sucked up by the plants preventing them from taking root (?)
- Plant selection is too slow growing needed to have more Hornwort / Vallisneria / Swords (?)
- Possibly something in dechlorinated tap water is preventing growth (?)
- Too much tannins from the driftwood is interfering with plant growth (?)
- Other thoughts?
Thanks.
--- Updated with imgur images