Eleocharis Acicularis not growing

7364 Views 34 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Alcest, Nov 6, 2016

Alcest

Discussion Starter · Sep 29, 2016 (Edited)

5

Hi all, this is Alcest, I'm new to planted aquariums and i'd like to start with something "Easy" almost "newbie-proof", so I decided to go for Eleocharis Acicularis (Dwarf Hairgrass), so I set up my tank for like 3 weeks, then I planted the Hairgrass, it has been two weeks since I planted them and the plants looks like they are dying or something like that, not sure if I should give them more time, or what should I do.

This are my Tank Specs:
30GAL
Seachem Flourite Black
24C - 26C
CO2 100 bubbles/minute
NO2 0
NO3 0
PH 6.5-7
KH 40
GH 60
6 hours a day of 60w 6500k 2700lm floodlights

Here are some photos of what the plants looks like (Photos like a little bit greener than they really are)

I hope anyone can help, and I'd be grateful for your opinions.

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houseofcards

· #2 · Sep 29, 2016

Are you dosing ferts?

Are your bulbs 60watt equivalent or actual 60watts?

Alcest

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 29, 2016 (Edited)

houseofcards said:
Are you dosing ferts?

Are your bulbs 60watt equivalent or actual 60watts?

Not dosing ferts

60watt equivalent (a pair of 30w floodlights)

houseofcards

· #4 · Sep 29, 2016

What is the actual wattage on the floodlights?

Alcest

Discussion Starter · #5 · Sep 29, 2016

houseofcards said:
What is the actual wattage on the floodlights?

Havent meassured it yet, the box said 30W, i have two of them.

houseofcards

· #6 · Sep 29, 2016

I'm not sure what lights you have, but it's unusual to provide co2 and not dose ferts. The plants the need ferts either way, but with co2 dosing is usually a necessity.

Reactions: 2

Opare

· #7 · Sep 29, 2016

Agree with House, they may need to be fed with some nutrients.

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Alcest

Discussion Starter · #8 · Sep 29, 2016

houseofcards said:
I'm not sure what lights you have, but it's unusual to provide co2 and not dose ferts. The plants the need ferts either way, but with co2 dosing is usually a necessity.

Opare said:
Agree with House, they may need to be fed with some nutrients.

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So should I dose some ferts?
What should I try?

Opare

· #9 · Sep 29, 2016

Look at the EI dosing regime and PPS-Pro. Realistically you would be giving much more than what your plants would require if you went those routes. So, I would just do like a 1/4 EI or something and it should be fine.
Always remember plant growth is determined (mainly) by 3 things light, CO2 and nutrients. You were only providing 2 of those things that's why you were having problems. I would recommend having some more plants, stems in particular, to battle algae and stuff as well.
Hope this helps!

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Reactions: 1

Alcest

Discussion Starter · #10 · Oct 1, 2016

Opare said:
Look at the EI dosing regime and PPS-Pro. Realistically you would be giving much more than what your plants would require if you went those routes. So, I would just do like a 1/4 EI or something and it should be fine.
Always remember plant growth is determined (mainly) by 3 things light, CO2 and nutrients. You were only providing 2 of those things that's why you were having problems. I would recommend having some more plants, stems in particular, to battle algae and stuff as well.
Hope this helps!

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Would it be OK if I start dosing with Seachem products?

houseofcards

· #11 · Oct 1, 2016

Alcest said:
Would it be OK if I start dosing with Seachem products?

Seachem is fine. At the end of the day it's the same stuff essential to the plants. Liquid ferts are just more expensive in the long run. Do yo have Seachem N,P,K and Seachem Flourish Comp.

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Alcest

Discussion Starter · #12 · Oct 1, 2016 (Edited by Moderator)

houseofcards said:
Seachem is fine. At the end of the day it's the same stuff essential to the plants. Liquid ferts are just more expensive in the long run. Do yo have Seachem N,P,K and Seachem Flourish Comp.

Just got Seachem P and K, gettibg the Nitrogen asap.

Forgot to say that i use RO Water, i was reading that some ppl recommend to use tap water (with antichlorine), what do you guys use?

Opare

· #13 · Oct 2, 2016

Depends how hard you water is. If you are using RO water you need to remineralise it or else it lacks some stuff that plants need. You can do this using products or by mixing it with tap water (dechlorinated). I would look into this as this may also be causing issues.
By the way off topic but finally realised your profile picture and name is in referance to the band LOL. The Kodama album cover is very nice.

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Alcest

Discussion Starter · #14 · Oct 2, 2016

Opare said:
Depends how hard you water is. If you are using RO water you need to remineralise it or else it lacks some stuff that plants need. You can do this using products or by mixing it with tap water (dechlorinated). I would look into this as this may also be causing issues.
By the way off topic but finally realised your profile picture and name is in referance to the band LOL. The Kodama album cover is very nice.

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Yesterday made a 30% water change, added TAP water, ill start doing this weekly ^^ hope it helps to my plants.

Also, your name reminded me the song Opale from Shelter ^^

Opare

· #15 · Oct 3, 2016

Alcest said:
Yesterday made a 30% water change, added TAP water, ill start doing this weekly ^^ hope it helps to my plants.

Also, your name reminded me the song Opale from Shelter ^^

You sort of need to find a ratio of tap to RO that gives you the kH and gH (this depends more on the livestock you want to keep rather than the plants) you want. So you'll need test kits for that.
My name is actually the name of a relatively unknown football/soccer player that became a cult hero between my friends.

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Bananableps

· #16 · Oct 3, 2016

Your mystery snails are looking particularly mysterious.

In my experience, hairgrass loves nutrients at the root. I use dirt and I can hardly contain the growth. Seeing as you aren't using dirt and it will be awhile before you accumulate enough fish mulm, try root tabs. Would not worry about light - hairgrass does not need much.

Alcest

Discussion Starter · #17 · Oct 4, 2016

Bananableps said:
Your mystery snails are looking particularly mysterious.

In my experience, hairgrass loves nutrients at the root. I use dirt and I can hardly contain the growth. Seeing as you aren't using dirt and it will be awhile before you accumulate enough fish mulm, try root tabs. Would not worry about light - hairgrass does not need much.

So you are sayin that i should have waited a little bit more to plant it? 0:

houseofcards

· #18 · Oct 4, 2016

Hairgrass couldn't care less whether the nutrients come from the water column or the substrate. I've grown it countless times. I have it growing literally out the box in inert sand.

Reactions: 1

Alcest

Discussion Starter · #19 · Oct 5, 2016 (Edited)

8

houseofcards said:
Hairgrass couldn't care less whether the nutrients come from the water column or the substrate. I've grown it countless times. I have it growing literally out the box in inert sand.

Looks like they are still dying

I took more pictures of week 3 (since planted, not the tank), the plants still going yellow/brown-ish and not sure whats goin on, the tank is getting algae on the top of the substrate and on the walls.

Most of them looks like the first photo.

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Opare

· #20 · Oct 5, 2016

That brown algae is quite normal in the start up of new tanks it's called diatoms.
Patience is the name of the game though it's still too early too see whether your DHG is going to bounce back.
What changes did you make between then and now?

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