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	Stems rotting at substrate level - help!
ruhoo Small Fry Posts: 12 Kudos: 7 Votes: 13 Registered: 08-Nov-2005	Problem only started a couple of weeks ago. This is my first tank, about 3 months old now. Got 6 danios and 5 ottos, all very healthy. All was going fine then last week noticed that the stemmed plants were growing tall not bushy, then went brown at substrate level. Upon investigation found to have rotted through! Strange still is that the top part of the plant seems rudely healty! Removed bad bits and replanted healthy parts. Seems to be happening again this week. Anybody any ideas?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
hembo666 Big Fish Posts: 350 Kudos: 288 Votes: 3 Registered: 01-Apr-2005	what substrate are they planted in?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
ruhoo Small Fry Posts: 12 Kudos: 7 Votes: 13 Registered: 08-Nov-2005	It's mostly 1/16" gravel, with some larger gravel for aesthetics. I have an under gravel heater cable too
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
hembo666 Big Fish Posts: 350 Kudos: 288 Votes: 3 Registered: 01-Apr-2005	i used to have a similar problem with plants in sand, i assumed the sand was the problemand switched to gravel,i dont seem to have a problem now. hopefully someone with more knowledge than me will be able to advise you soon.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
moondog Moderator The Hobnob-lin Posts: 2676 Kudos: 1038 Votes: 4366 Registered: 30-Sep-2002	what kind of plants, and what kind of care do you give them? any ferts, co2, etc? "That's the trouble with political jokes in this country... they get elected!" -- Dave Lippman
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
ruhoo Small Fry Posts: 12 Kudos: 7 Votes: 13 Registered: 08-Nov-2005	Thanks Hembo I appreciate you tryin to help. Any one else out there got any ideas how to deal with this?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
ruhoo Small Fry Posts: 12 Kudos: 7 Votes: 13 Registered: 08-Nov-2005	The affected plants are Hygrophilia polysperma ( I thought an almost indestructable plant for novices!) Fertilizers are: Deponit Fertilizer pellets and recently started using Seachen Flourish in water changes (prev was PlantGro). Oop, forgot - No C02 given Last edited by ruhoo at 03-Dec-2005 10:19
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004	If the plants are planted in bunches, take them apart and plant individually or in pairs. Don't keep the lead weight on if you do. Otherwise it's just a light issue, meaning not enough light gets to the bottom of the tank/plants. Also, remove any of the rotting base, as it will continue to rot no matter what you do. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
ruhoo Small Fry Posts: 12 Kudos: 7 Votes: 13 Registered: 08-Nov-2005	I think the replants went cos some of the rotten mass was left. Your thoughts could be correct re separating as some were in bunches, but all lead was removed. I will separate what is left - thanks I have an single Aqua-glo 20w 24"X 1" bulb in a 40cm high 96l tank. Is this adequate?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004	Ruhoo, that would put you into the low light plant category. You have enough light for plants like anubias, crypts, java moss, and java fern to name a few. Most stem plants will not do well under this amount of lighting. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
ruhoo Small Fry Posts: 12 Kudos: 7 Votes: 13 Registered: 08-Nov-2005	Thanx Matty - I am going to my lfs tomoro. I will buy some low-light replacement plants - I wouldn't know how to put more lights into my canopy, it's a Hagen Uno 800 canopy.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42


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