Can you post close up photos of the plants that aren't growing?
What am I doing wrong?
I have a 60 Gal Tall that has been set up since 8/2012, I cant seem to get my plants to grow.
Equipment:
40 W Lifeguard UV Sterilizer QL-40,
Fluval 306 External Canister Filter,
Fluval QI A-850 Air Pump,
Hydor Theo 300 W heater
Lighting:
Aquatic Life T5 6000k 54 W AV Light
Fertilization:
Seachem Flourish™ comprehensive plant supplement (Once a Month),
Seachem Flourish Excel™ bioavailable organic carbon (Twice a week)
Inhabitants:
Two Red Tail Sharks,
Two Common Plecostomus,
Two Roseline Sharks,
Two Blue Gouramis,
Two White Gouramis,
Three Pictus Catfish,
Three Clown Loaches,
Three Zebra loach,
Three Parrot Fish
Please Help!
Equipment:
40 W Lifeguard UV Sterilizer QL-40,
Fluval 306 External Canister Filter,
Fluval QI A-850 Air Pump,
Hydor Theo 300 W heater
Lighting:
Aquatic Life T5 6000k 54 W AV Light
Fertilization:
Seachem Flourish™ comprehensive plant supplement (Once a Month),
Seachem Flourish Excel™ bioavailable organic carbon (Twice a week)
Inhabitants:
Two Red Tail Sharks,
Two Common Plecostomus,
Two Roseline Sharks,
Two Blue Gouramis,
Two White Gouramis,
Three Pictus Catfish,
Three Clown Loaches,
Three Zebra loach,
Three Parrot Fish
Please Help!
Attachments
-
67.1 KB Views: 364
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
Plants in the substrate will need root tabs. Seachem flourish comprehensive should be used at least once a week. Excel is typically used daily or every other day. Limiting factors on plant growth is ferts, CO2, lighting. Balance those for good growth and staying algae free.
I agree with Absntmind your lacking in the co2 and nutrient department. Light, co2, and ferts is what plants need to grow if your missing any one of those growing will stop and algae will pick up the slack.
Ok, Ill try adding more nutrients and see what happens.
I have also heard that an bubblier could hurt as well. Is this true?
I have also heard that an bubblier could hurt as well. Is this true?
Not/w Excel. It allows exchange of carbon via evaporation into the air because of higher levels of water surface aggitation/water circulating to the top where it come into contact/w the outside atmosphere where this exchange happens. Applies to injected CO2 more than anything but also the DIY type. Called offgassing.
Actually you may not need "more of" those ferts but more complete ferts.
Some plants do fine in low tech tanks without much or even any added ferts as they
can get some from fish waste/food. But the higher the light the more ferts they need.
This helps to explain it fairly well.
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=107303
BTW: how many bulbs ? You did know they are suggested to be changed out after 10
months right ? And on bulb selection...I don't blame those people who have 20 tanks
when they talk themselves into believing that..."well there all about the same" cause
aquarium bulbs can add up in multiple tanks.
Actually you may not need "more of" those ferts but more complete ferts.
Some plants do fine in low tech tanks without much or even any added ferts as they
can get some from fish waste/food. But the higher the light the more ferts they need.
This helps to explain it fairly well.
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=107303
BTW: how many bulbs ? You did know they are suggested to be changed out after 10
months right ? And on bulb selection...I don't blame those people who have 20 tanks
when they talk themselves into believing that..."well there all about the same" cause
aquarium bulbs can add up in multiple tanks.
The plants are not growing because your tank isn't balanced.
Increase Co2, Increase ferts, and make light your limited factor.
Increase Co2, Increase ferts, and make light your limited factor.
surprised no one has said anything about his stocking... way overstocked imo and fish that shouldn't be living together. also some of the tank is too small for.I have a 60 Gal Tall that has been set up since 8/2012, I cant seem to get my plants to grow.
Equipment:
40 W Lifeguard UV Sterilizer QL-40,
Fluval 306 External Canister Filter,
Fluval QI A-850 Air Pump,
Hydor Theo 300 W heater
Lighting:
Aquatic Life T5 6000k 54 W AV Light
Fertilization:
Seachem Flourish™ comprehensive plant supplement (Once a Month),
Seachem Flourish Excel™ bioavailable organic carbon (Twice a week)
Inhabitants:
Two Red Tail Sharks,
Two Common Plecostomus,
Two Roseline Sharks,
Two Blue Gouramis,
Two White Gouramis,
Three Pictus Catfish,
Three Clown Loaches,
Three Zebra loach,
Three Parrot Fish
Please Help!
Those sword plants need fertilizer in the form of root tablets. The sharks and the plecos are eventually going to have to go, might as well be now. They get too big.
The fish act fine together, and they are very happy together. I go to a highly recommended fish store to get my fish and they know what kind of tank and what kind of fish I have. They said these fish will be ok together. I know that my tank is full. However the fish have been fine since I have set up the tank.
I know the Plecos are going to get too big. I normally resale them back to the store and get more. These are my 3rd and 4th ones.
I know the Plecos are going to get too big. I normally resale them back to the store and get more. These are my 3rd and 4th ones.
Sorry to have to tell you this but 99.9% of pet store employees don't know the first thing about keeping fish. They have definitely misinformed you about what fish are appropriate for your tank size. You are extremely overstocked at the moment.
Clown Loaches grow slowly, but keep growing until 16-20"
Most common plecos also grow extremely large and become territorial with age. They will also often start damaging plants as they grow older.
Parrot Fish also grow fairly large.
Also Red tailed sharks are quite aggressive towards each other and can bully other fish and each other.
Clown Loaches grow slowly, but keep growing until 16-20"
Most common plecos also grow extremely large and become territorial with age. They will also often start damaging plants as they grow older.
Parrot Fish also grow fairly large.
Also Red tailed sharks are quite aggressive towards each other and can bully other fish and each other.
Temperament: The red tailed black shark can be an aggressive fish. This fish often fights or harasses other red tail sharks. It is highly recommended to house only one of this species unless you have a very large tank. The red-tailed-shark should not be kept with extremely docile or peaceful fish. The red tail shark is a territorial fish that will chase other fish away from their territory or become aggressive during feeding. Some fish-keepers have had great luck with their red tail shark, so it all depends on the individual fish.
From: http://www.keepingtropicalfish.co.uk/fish-database/red-tailed-shark/Tankmates: It is highly recommended to keep only one labeo bicolor per tank. Depending on each individual fish, most redtail sharks will harass smaller, more peaceful fish. Many cichlid keepers keep redtail sharks in their tank because they can hold their own with some more aggressive fish. Do not keep red tail black sharks with other bottom dwelling fish such as cory cats. They will compete for the same territory and food.
+1 way overstocked,
best of all is to remove some fish to a different tank. sword plants are heavy root feeders and will need a root tab inserted near it's roots. my main concern is the BBA algae infested. I would remove those infested leaves and clean the wood and rocks decoration. middle picture I see a BBA infested on rock, right hand close to top.
best of all is to remove some fish to a different tank. sword plants are heavy root feeders and will need a root tab inserted near it's roots. my main concern is the BBA algae infested. I would remove those infested leaves and clean the wood and rocks decoration. middle picture I see a BBA infested on rock, right hand close to top.
I'll have to agree that the tank seems highly stocked with interesting choices for tank mates. But, if they've been living together for that long with no issues then you're obviously keeping up with water changes for your stocking level.
However, I know that does nothing to answer your original question about plant growth.
You've already received some good info; but I havent seen what type of substrate your'e using? If its not rich in nutrients then you'll want to read up more about fertilizers. Looks like you understand that ferts are needed, but you arent really giving your plants what they need. I'll end my comments here as I couldn't even guess where to begin with what ferts you might actually need!
However, I know that does nothing to answer your original question about plant growth.
You've already received some good info; but I havent seen what type of substrate your'e using? If its not rich in nutrients then you'll want to read up more about fertilizers. Looks like you understand that ferts are needed, but you arent really giving your plants what they need. I'll end my comments here as I couldn't even guess where to begin with what ferts you might actually need!
Root tabs work better than dosing the water column for the plants you have. The fish waste is probably giving you more nutrients that what you're adding.
I've also soaked and frozen plain old dirt and stuck the dirt ice cubes under the substrate in place of root tabs. Works well for me.
I've also soaked and frozen plain old dirt and stuck the dirt ice cubes under the substrate in place of root tabs. Works well for me.
To specifically answer the plant part of the original question, it looks like the older leaves have been damaged. Probably by the fish. The small rips and tears are not nutrient related. I cannot see the plant in greater detail since the attached photos are small. Perhaps you can describe the damage or abnormalities you are seeing in person, and post closer or larger photos of the plants that don't grow.
The black algae that is growing on the leaves around the damaged parts is thought to feed off organic wastes which are probably coming from the damaged leaves and the large fish load. This algae is fairly common and can be difficult to remove, but Flourish Excel can be used to spot treat it underwater using a baby's medicine syringe.
The black algae that is growing on the leaves around the damaged parts is thought to feed off organic wastes which are probably coming from the damaged leaves and the large fish load. This algae is fairly common and can be difficult to remove, but Flourish Excel can be used to spot treat it underwater using a baby's medicine syringe.
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
The Planted Tank Forum
A forum community dedicated to Aquatic tank owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about flora, fauna, health, housing, filters, care, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Top Contributors this Month
View All
Kwyet
125 Replies
Creature From The Tank
73 Replies
duanes
44 Replies
Recommended Communities
