Plant query?

Fishie-Fingers · #1 05-12-2008, 10:18 PM

i have some Amazon sword plants at the rear of my tank, they seem to have very fine hairs growing off them, and some have developed brown patches on the leaves. Is this due to too much phosphate? or does this plant just do this as the leaves get older? none of the other plants or rocks etc have this hair growth on them, but some of them do have brown patches on the leaves, but only on the largest ones.

Fry Lover · #2 05-13-2008, 04:22 PM

Can't speak about phosphate, but i think brown patches (especially if they are slightly see though) on leaves can be lack of iron? Although this is speculation really, my knowledge of problems with plants is very limited, i find it's very much trial and error with plants, eventually finding what works best.

I have seen Amazon Swords referred to as being "nutrient hungry" on some forums, although what nutrients i dont know.

Remind us, how big is the tank and what light tube do you have in there (wattage wise)

Fishie-Fingers · #3 05-13-2008, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fry Lover

Can't speak about phosphate, but i think brown patches (especially if they are slightly see though) on leaves can be lack of iron? Although this is speculation really, my knowledge of problems with plants is very limited, i find it's very much trial and error with plants, eventually finding what works best.

I have seen Amazon Swords referred to as being "nutrient hungry" on some forums, although what nutrients i dont know.

Remind us, how big is the tank and what light tube do you have in there (wattage wise)

The tank is 180 litre, Aqua glo 30w 46cm, sun glo 30w 46cm
These are timed to come on between 10am-3pm 6pm-10pm

Fry Lover · #4 05-13-2008, 07:33 PM

Sally, don't take this is the gospel truth please, as its never this simple..... but, in terms of wpg (watts per gallon) of lighting you are on the low end, very low in terms of a planted tank.

I don't know why they do this (use Yankie Doodle Dandy measurements) but a lot of what i have read about planted tanks, states that 1.5 wpg is about the lowest you can go for successful plant growth (now i am sure this doesnt apply to everyone, as there is bound to be success stories with less than 1.5wpg)

But, it's 1.5wpg (in US Gallons), so.... your tank is 180 litres which is 48 US Gallon, and you have 60 watts of light, so thats 1.25 WPG, that doesnt mean you cant grow plants, i am just highlighting that you at a slight disadvantage thats all.

But i dont know what to suggest, as brighter lights will cost you a bit and leaving them on longer isn't necessarily the answer (but you can increase from what you are doing which is 9 hrs, to about 10-11 hrs)

Have a read up, there are some great threads about plant growth on Google, i will try and find some.

This is all irrelevent if your not really bothered about plants, but it has taken me quite a while to get my planted tank looking good, lots of trial and error with different plants, amount of light etc

EDIT: the wpg rule assumes you are using reflectors too, so if you are not, you definitly might experience some issues with good plant growth

http://faq.thekrib.com/plant-qa.html

Fry Lover · #5 05-13-2008, 07:37 PM

http://www.fishforums.net/content/Pl...e-to-Lighting/

EDIT:

none of this really answers your question to be honest, but i know little about phosphates.

my recommendations for plants if you do have some troubles is

-onion plant (crinum thaianum)
-anubia
-java fern

they all do well in lower lighting tanks

Fishie-Fingers · #6 05-13-2008, 08:02 PM

Thanks Fry, your replies are always helpful and very welcome. I think the tubes may need replacing, didnt realise they needed replacing after just 6mnths! I`ve had the tank for alot longer than that, but its my bday next month, so think they may be on my request list from family!!
I`ll just experiment and see what works xx

Fry Lover · #7 05-13-2008, 08:10 PM

The "replace every 6 months" is a bit strict, i've read many times people sticking to about 12 months in terms of being serious with plant growth.

As i am sure you can imagine, its not an exact science, but by increasing all these various factors, such as tube age, watts, type of plants, you can increase your chances of success.

But, i have found Onion Plants to grow even if you take them out, rob them of light for 1 year, put them on the radiator overnight and give them a hot bath, finally putting a flame thrower on them, they still survive

ha ha, maybe an exaggeration there, lol