FishProfiles.com Message Forums

i just set up my 20 long last friday.ive got:

fluorite
a dual light fixture with 2 20 watt bulbs
a 28watt compact fluorescent fixture
im not using any ferts or root tabs, i do have a nutrafin co2 setup but im not using that either.

anyways, yesterday i put in 3 amazon swords and 3 other plants (i cant remember, but it started with an "A" and Aponogeton plants look pretty similar)

well i've had my lights on for the 2 days ive had my plants, but i noticed that the edges of the leaves are starting to curl/ripple somewhat. now im an expert when it comes to plants that die relatively quickly .what do you think the problem is?

Hi,
First, in a new tank the substrate is not "seasoned" with
bacteria and fish poop, and nutrients. It can take a up
to a year for that to occur.

Second, all plants have to acclimate to their new
conditions, and during that change over period,
they consume their stored nutrients, can turn yellow,
or wilt. Keep trimming the dead or dying parts and
they will settle in. Just don't be too much in a hurry
to snip and discard. These things take time, and two
days is nothing. Two weeks, and you would have
something to be concerned about.

Third, your sentence indicates that you have left the
lights on for two days straight. Actually, you should
restrict the photo period to ten hours per day.
More, and you court an algae problem.

Lastly, Amazon Swords are heavy root feeders, and probably,
in this brand new tank, could use some ferts.

Frank




-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

ok thanks for the good news, i was kinda worried that my brown thumb was already kicking in. oh, and i didn't have the lights on for the full 48 hours about 7 hours each day. i'll try putting in some flourish tabs and see what happens

Some plants, I've noticed, get "angry" when I put them in new tanks, drop all their leaves, and then grow back even more brilliant.

By the way...about those amazon swords... they get HUGE... and their roots are so strong they can break glass... just a heads up.

and their roots are so strong they can break glass

erm...

I would just like to reassure anyone who is intending to plant amazon swords in their tank that these plants are not about to smash their way out of the aquarium and take over the world....

Hi,
I agree with Whetu. The phrase "taking over a tank" means
that what was once a nice "small" 3 or 4 inch plant can,
over time, become a plant that is 6 or more inches across
(counting all the leaf stems) and 20 inches long, and thats
just the mother plant. That does not count all the baby
plants and runners that it will grow. The root systems can
be come huge taking up many feet of the substrate. Suddenly
that cute plant is THE plant and indeed it is a beautiful
plant.

Break the glass... never happen.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Yeah, this isn't "Little Shop of Horrors"

Please be careful with those root tabs, though. Once you insert them into the substrate be careful not to disturb them. If you pull them up after too short a period of time you'll throw tons of nutrients into the water column and you'll be looking at green water in no time. Just my experience, anyway...

---

Back in the saddle!