Help, i'm new and need guidance

[patronix]

New to live plants in my aquarium, so a bit lost. Ordered these two online, took 3 days to arrive. Not sure if the alternanthera lilacina is a goner? Java fern looks slightly better, but still worried. Any advice appreciated. Planted them correctly? Need root tabs? Are they dead? Should I keep the light on?

[gripit]

Looks like you've got the Java Fern in the substrate, not ideal. You'll want to tie the stem the leaves grow from to something instead. Root tabs will definitely help, and yeah, the plants do need some light. Don't overdo it though, or you'll likely end up with an algae bloom. Eight to ten hours a day is a good starting point. Is your tank already cycled, or are you planning to cycle it with the plants?

[gripit]

Assuming you just planted them today, give them some time to settle in - it's probably too early to tell if they're dead or not. Someone with more experience might chime in, but I'd just keep an eye on them for now.

[patronix]

Thanks for the advice. I actually tied the Java Fern to a weight under the substrate with thread at either end, so none of it's buried. Hope that's alright? The tank's already cycled, by the way. I planted the alternanthera in the gravel, and I got 2 free root tabs with the plants. Should I just stick them in the gravel anywhere?

[gripit]

Sounds good with the Java Fern setup. If you've got API root tabs, placing one halfway into the substrate should be fine, especially since they're grouped together. One tab covers a decent area, about 30 inches, so you don't need to overdo it. Too many root tabs can be problematic if they get pulled up in large quantities, potentially harming your water and fish.

For the root tabs, just use your tweezers to push them into the substrate – easy does it.

[patronix]

Thanks again for your advice, really helpful.

[sSjey]

You'll want to get a liquid fertiliser for those plants, they're water-column feeders. I'd recommend Seachem Flourish Comprehensive Supplement for the Plants Tank, or TNC Lite - not the Complete one, just the Lite version.

Alternanthera lilacina's considered a medium-difficulty plant, and from what I've read, it's supposed to do best with added CO2. But make sure you don't get the liquid CO2 type, as it's got something in it that's not good for your fish. If it doesn't work out, don't worry, there are plenty of easier plants you can try.

[SeaBidder]

They both look alright to me, but I do agree with essjay about the alternanthera lilacina - personally, I've never had much luck getting it to grow.