Hornwort And Other Plant Issues

I have split the topic in the Items for Sale or Giveaway section as it was going off topic. As fcmf's post was the first post after the split, it is showing that she started the post. I am also moving the split section to Fish Tank Plant Advice and changing the title to Hornwort and other plants issues

Sue

I have some Seachem Flourish coming in the mail today so I'm hoping for even better plant performance in the future.

I haven't been using anything for my plants, although I notice that they've been faring a little better since I reduced the length of time the lights are on for. I've been a bit nervous about introducing more chemicals to the tank other than what's in my dechlorinator - but, if using something for plants, would this be the best option?

Paddy, I wouldn't worry about it. The biggest danger with products like Excel, Easy-Carbo and the like is suffocation through overdosing. If you see any of your fish gasping at the surface, do an immediate water change and reduce your dosing level.

I've been using Colombo Flora-grow Carbo for over a year without any issues. Plant growth is very strong when I dose, and it noticeable tailed off when I went on holiday for 2 weeks. They are also algaecides and will reduce the algae in your tank. 

Hornwort is a stem plant - a stem with lots of needle shaped leaves. The stems themselves are easily broken. And the plants doesn't root in the substrate so the cichlids could pull it up. However, it can also be twisted round decor to anchor it, or used as a floating plant.

Think im going to give easylife profito (basically a cheaper version of flourish) a go along with attempting to remember to dose more regularly easy carbo of I can't get my plants to survive.

I'm starting to think that my softwater is not giving the plants what they need as the hormwort @Sue kindly sent me is loosing needles     Do those out there that also struggle with plants have softwater?

I am successful with anubias, java moss, crypts (I think) and swords.  This in turn makes me wonder if my lights are bright enough, plqnts in any kind of shade also seem to struggle...  so frustrating 

Do those out there that also struggle with plants have softwater?
I am successful with anubias, java moss, crypts (I think) and swords.  This in turn makes me wonder if my lights are bright enough, plqnts in any kind of shade also seem to struggle...  so frustrating 

Yes, @Matt - I struggle and I've got very soft water. I'll update my thread accordingly with my observations of what I'm finding is/isn't working - but I think having the lights on for reduced time (no more than 10 hrs) is a key factor in my more recent success.

Mine also are on a timer for 10 hours, glad I'm getting that right 

Who knows what factors are involved, though - your water isn't quite as soft as mine, so it's possible that there's a different magic number for you in terms of plant-keeping, so it might even be worth experimenting by reducing/increasing that by an hour or two, just to see if it makes any difference.

I've updated my thread, if that helps at all.

Totally agree that there is a lack of and also a lot of conflicting information about plants preferences in respect to water hardness, I've also heard that plant secrete different chemicals which inhibit the growth of other species but this is not well understood scientifically speaking at present.

I suppose I should apologies for having got frustrated before, its plants which are supposed to be indestructible and or grow like weeds for everyone else then slowly die in my tank which frustrate me.

I'm going to compare how the hornwort grows in a shaded are against some I've put in the open as my next thing... though it was floating most of last week so not sure this will make significant difference...

Substrate seems very important. I've changed from a fine gravel to Colombo Florabase. It's still early days (tank has been set up about 3 weeks), but the plants look really healthy. The Crypts are recovering from their initial melt and are now growing well. The stem plants are also going well too. Lights are on for 8 hours to minimise algae. No problems so far.

Thanks for clearing up the Seachem misunderstanding Sue. You'd think they'd give them some different names!

I've said this here before many times but I'll say it again, put a layer of soil under gravel and your plants will thrive. Stock up with enough fish to provide plenty of carbon dioxide, they are the best and most interesting source. I've had tanks like this for 3 years now, minimum maintenance, plants grow like crazy, fish healthy and happy. It costs very little in money and time. Let the fish poo sink into the gravel, that's plenty of fertiliser. Of course, if you obsessively vacuum the gravel and change 25% of the water every week, you are going to be doing a lot of work and will then have to replace the nutrients you are removing. Apart from topping up, I haven't changed water for three months or more, I have no problems with fish health whatsoever, they are all lively, brightly coloured, eating like pigs and thriving. In those three years, the only additive I have used is water conditioner. Filter maintenance is the only regular task, apart from feeding. I have to remove excess plant growth rather than try to encourage the plants to grow.

The tanks I set up with sand are not as good, the fish poo simply lies on top, doesn't sink in and has to be removed. I'm changing those around this winter and will replace sand with gravel. The gravel will again be lime-free horticultural grit from the garden centre at a fraction of the cost of "aquarium" gravel, which is basically the same stuff in smaller bags at an extortionate price. In the sand tanks, I presently have large pieces of bogwood on  which Java Fern, Java Moss, hornwort, Anubias and Hygrophila polysperma all do very well tied on, not rooted in the substrate. There is plenty of oxygen for their roots in the water which is lacking in sand, another reason to prefer gravel. I've not seen any difference in Corydoras health in sand over gravel, they don't seem to mind either way.

Algae are much more likely to be due to excess nutrients rather than light. Cutting back on light is more likely to slow your plant growth rather than reduce algae. Fast growing plants use the nutrients and outcompete the algae and so you want your plants growing strongly.

Any plant will grow in hardish water, given suitable substrate, but hard water plants will not thrive in soft water. I think the advertising authorities should ban "liquid carbon dioxide" as a description, it really isn't true. Most plants will use bicarbonate ions, naturally present in hard water, and any cheap source of bicarbonate would do as well as the commercially promoted expensive stuff.

To quote Diana Walstad again :
"…..... there is little to be gained from restricting the nutrient levels in the aquarium by underfeeding fish, changing water frequently, and cleaning gravel, but then adding it all back as plant fertilizers.(Sounds like a lot of work to me.)"

Apologies to those who have heard all of this from me before, but I know there are a lot of new people on the forum.

But you have to be sure your tank is set up properly before you cut back on vacuuming and water changing. It's really a completely different approach to tank management, it's not quite "all or nothing" but near.