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I added some new plants to my tank about 6 or 7 days ago, and they had been doing really well, and just yesturday the started to fall apart and I don't know why. They are called Anicarus or something like that. Do u think it was paracites or pest snails, or lighting. Help if you can.

http://www.thousandfootkrutch.com
http://www.hawknelson.com

I really don't know that much about plants at this point, but I do know that some additional info would be needed such as tank size, your WPG, water parameters, substrate, etc..

Jim

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Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

Right, you need to give us more info before we can help. At a minimum:
- more description on what "fall apart" means, or better, a picture or two. For example, are the plants dying or infected with algae (if so, what does the algae look like), etc.
- your tank size and current lighting (how many watts on the bulbs)
- how long have the tank been set up and how many fish you have
- your fertilization regimen, if you are adding any

Sounds like you have Anacharis. Does it look like this?

-P

"FALLING APART"- the leaves are becoming shredded and falling off the stem, which is piling up on the gravel.

Actually i sort of think that it could be parasites, our water is very calm, could that mean that parasites are devouring them?

I have about 15 tetras, 6 cories, 1 male and 1 female mollie, and a pleco.

I am not adding anything for the plants, if you have any suggestions pleas let me know!

To be honest my lighting is pretty poor, I have a 20 watt 30" flourescent light.

Parameters:

PH: 7.6

AMMONIA: None

TEMP: 72 degrees

Yes, it is an anacharis.

http://www.thousandfootkrutch.com
http://www.hawknelson.com

I have a 20 watt 30" flourescent light.

And your tank size (gal/liter)?

I've had anacharis in relatively low light and they were ok (only the bottom/shaded parts are bald), so that's probably not the problem. The only two things I know that can destroy Anacharis are (a) Flourish Excel and (b) very low nitrate. You have quite a few fish, so I don't think low nitrate is the problem either.

Hmm...I wonder if your pleco is eating the plant? I've never had a pleco but I know they are herbivores.


-P

It is a 29 gallon tank. It might be the pleco, it does tend to sit on the plants, and suck on them. If it is what should i do.

http://www.thousandfootkrutch.com
http://www.hawknelson.com

If it is what should i do

Return pleco to LFS? Or you can use other plants that the pleco won't eat. With that amount of lighting, you can use anubias, java ferns, java moss, cryptocorynes, wisteria. Have a look at the first link I gave you. You can search for plants there based on their light requirements (you have low light, less than 1 wpg/watts per gallon).

-P

Offer the pleco some fresh vegetables and it might(probably) leave the plants alone.

what kinds of vegetables, or just any in general?

http://www.thousandfootkrutch.com
http://www.hawknelson.com

Slices of zucchini or celery are good for plecos. You can either blanch for a short time to get the slices to sink, attach to a rock or other object with a rubber band or there are specially made vegetable clips for use in the aquarium.

Jim

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Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

Thanks OldTimer. I'll have to try that out. Also do plants need some water movement?

http://www.thousandfootkrutch.com
http://www.hawknelson.com

Hey I think I figured out what the problem was with my plants. I think the were diseased or something like that We I went back to the fish store where we got ours from and the same thing is happening there.

http://www.thousandfootkrutch.com
http://www.hawknelson.com