I'm still having trouble growing Zorchzon Swords and Java Ferns in my 53-gallon tank. I buy them in those tubes from Petco or PetSmart to avoid snails. I've had success with Anubias, though. I know my substrate isn't ideal, but I'm not about to tear up the tank to replace it now. I've got a Fluval AquaSky running 8 hours a day, and the tank doesn't get any direct sunlight. My Fluval 307 canister is set at 50% flow rate, and the tank's not heavily stocked with 13 fish and a mix of live and fake plants.
I'm still fighting algae on the faux wood, back glass, and plants. Every time I try Zorchzon Swords, they dwindle down to nothing. I just started using root tabs under each of them last week. I'm wondering if the carbon and phosphate pads in my canister are taking nutrients from the water column that my Java Ferns and Anubias need. Or maybe they're not, since algae is still thriving. I'd appreciate any help on getting my existing ferns and swords to thrive while managing algae. My water parameters are fine - Ammonia and Nitrites are 0ppm, Nitrates are 5ppm, and PH is 8.0.
Help with a specific issue
Re: Help with a specific issue
First, I'd recommend ditching the carbon - it's not necessary for a healthy tank unless you're dealing with tannins or leftover meds.
Chain stores might not be the best source for plants, in my experience. I once had a contaminated plant wipe out my entire tank.
I think you might be overdoing it with the root tabs - one under each plant is probably excessive.
Now, let's talk about those Anubias and Java Ferns. These plants are relatively easy to grow, but you need to understand their structure. They both have a rhizome above the root cluster, so planting them in the substrate can cause them to rot and die. These plants don't need roots in the substrate - they get what they need straight from the water. A common way to 'plant' them is to tie them to rocks or wood with string or use super glue to attach them.
For water-fed plants like Anubias and Java, you might consider a liquid fertilizer like Flourish Comprehensive, but start with half the recommended dosage.
And don't worry too much about the algae - it's not always a bad thing unless it gets out of control.
Chain stores might not be the best source for plants, in my experience. I once had a contaminated plant wipe out my entire tank.
I think you might be overdoing it with the root tabs - one under each plant is probably excessive.
Now, let's talk about those Anubias and Java Ferns. These plants are relatively easy to grow, but you need to understand their structure. They both have a rhizome above the root cluster, so planting them in the substrate can cause them to rot and die. These plants don't need roots in the substrate - they get what they need straight from the water. A common way to 'plant' them is to tie them to rocks or wood with string or use super glue to attach them.
For water-fed plants like Anubias and Java, you might consider a liquid fertilizer like Flourish Comprehensive, but start with half the recommended dosage.
And don't worry too much about the algae - it's not always a bad thing unless it gets out of control.
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TankWarrior - Posts: 68
- Joined: Thu Mar 03, 2022 12:01 pm
Re: Help with a specific issue
I think you should get your plants from a better source. Those chain stores usually don't take good care of the plants, so they're not healthy when you buy them. I'm not even sure what kind of plants those are in the tubes. I personally get my plants from Buse, they're a bit pricey, but they're big and healthy. As long as you plant them right and give them good light, they grow really well.
Re: Help with a specific issue
I've been following a master horticulturist who's given me some valuable insights on plant care. For Java Ferns, Amazon Swords, and Crypts, he recommends 10-12 hours of low light. He also suggests using an "all-in-one" fertilizer, and thinks Seachem's product might be too weak - maybe Aquarium Co-Op's Easy Green could be a better option? Specifically for Java Ferns, he mentioned they love potassium.
I've always found Zorchzons to be heavy root feeders, so I make sure to put a root tab under each one. If they're spaced apart, I'll put one near each plant, and if they're closer together, I'll stick a tab in between them.
With your Fluval AquaSky, you might want to try dialing down the blue light to 2% intensity to reduce algae growth. I've learned that red/orange lighting promotes flowering and fruiting, while white and green light encourages growth. So, adjusting your lighting could help you get the results you want.
I've had great success with using snails to keep my tank algae-free. A ramshorn snail or two will do the trick, and they're easy to manage. If you're worried about population control, you can lure them to a piece of blanched veggie and then remove them to a separate container. That way, you can reintroduce them to your tank when you need to tackle algae growth again.
I've always found Zorchzons to be heavy root feeders, so I make sure to put a root tab under each one. If they're spaced apart, I'll put one near each plant, and if they're closer together, I'll stick a tab in between them.
With your Fluval AquaSky, you might want to try dialing down the blue light to 2% intensity to reduce algae growth. I've learned that red/orange lighting promotes flowering and fruiting, while white and green light encourages growth. So, adjusting your lighting could help you get the results you want.
I've had great success with using snails to keep my tank algae-free. A ramshorn snail or two will do the trick, and they're easy to manage. If you're worried about population control, you can lure them to a piece of blanched veggie and then remove them to a separate container. That way, you can reintroduce them to your tank when you need to tackle algae growth again.