Ok. How Do I Plant A Plant?

[aspguru]

I am very new at this so bear with me. How do you plant a plant in your tank? I have no clue how to do this. ???

 

[dattack]

It depends on the plant.  Some float and take nutrients from the water column while others, you have to place the roots into the substrate where it get its nutrient.

 

[aspguru]

It is a Brazil Sword plant. I already planted it. I hope I did it right. I took it out of the little pot and pulled the weight stuff off of the bottom. I left the soil on it and kinda buried it under the gravel. Is taht right?

 

[dattack]

If it's a sword plant, they use their roots to acquire most of the nutrients.  Yes you are doingit right. *thumbsupsmiley*

 

[aspguru]

THANKS DUDE!!!!!!!! *celebratesmiley* 8)

 

[aspguru]

Oh. One more thing. How long does it take to root itself in the gravel?

 

[equinom]

Check out the krib.  Tons of great plant stuff.  Pauls Aquatic Plant Place is another good source.  

The first plant I tried was java moss.  Then those bulbs from Walmart (aponogenta)    The stuff just grew and grew.  So I invested in a power compact light, laterite substrate, all sorts of stuff to provide macro and micro nutrients, then came the DIY CO2... and you know what?

I'm having to thin and trim stuff, because it's going crazy!!!
It looks cool and I think the fish like it better than the alternative - they seem to "play" and "sleep" in the softer plants (java moss and camboba)
Algae was a problem, but when I got my "algae crew" (SAEs and ottos) they put the place right in just a couple of days.

Last night, I got my first non-green plant,  it's a stem plant with red/copper varigated leaves.  I need to look it up and find out what it is.  It was an impulse buy - should not do that until I know what I am getting into... yah, yah, yah

 

[Matt Nace]

Equinom....what size tank do you have...try a bronze wendtii if you want an alterative to green. I love them.

 

[Matt Nace]

Aspguru....make sure you put a rotttan+iron tablet under the sword. They require some sort of Iron or their leaves will show it.

I kep a bunch of swords in gravel in a 55 gallon with no ferts except some iron tablets.

 

[aspguru]

Where do I get those? Is it ok for my fish?

 

[Medic6666]

I left my plants in the black pots that they came in.

I then put enough gravel in the bottom of my tank so that the tops were just covered, to hold them down

The roots have now grown out of the gaps in the black pots and the plants themselve have to be cut every 2 weeks because they grow to quick. I add some plant feed everytime I clean the tank.

Good luck

Medic6666