Plant Maintenance

[wombat1100]

As there seems to be alot of discussion on plants in tanks, i thought I would ask about general maintenance of a planted tank and what methods people use.

I have just started to get a bit more serious about my planted tank and have started by purchasing a T5 light and planting a heap of smaller plants(hopefully they will grow!) :unsure:

After reading the Co2 threads I decided that Co2 seems too bloody hard!so I'm gonna pass on that for now! :wacko:

What about things like fertilizers and trimming plants?

What is the best way to trim plants? do you just take off the dead bits? is there a right and wrong way of doing it like it is the case with normal plants?


What do other people do with there excess plants when they get too big for there tanks?I was privileged enough to be given some plants by a fellow fishtanker after he done some trimming of his plants and with the prices of plants at the LFS it was very much appreciated. :wink:
I ask this next piece for the benefit of the whole forum not just myself, maybe a posting that allows for free to good home items such as unwanted aquarium items is an idea??? Rather than just binning older goods, i think it would be a good idea to help out fellow aquarist's that are just as passionate but can less afford things like equipment, plants and even fish at a price that you would get for them at your LFS for a trade or even free if you like?
Or maybe a section for plants on the discussion forum?
Any way just some ideas and questions for you all to ponder and reply too.
look forward to hear what other people do and think
Dazz

[GoGuppy]

As there seems to be alot of discussion on plants in tanks, i thought I would ask about general maintenance of a planted tank and what methods people use.

I have just started to get a bit more serious about my planted tank and have started by purchasing a T5 light and planting a heap of smaller plants(hopefully they will grow!) :unsure:

After reading the Co2 threads I decided that Co2 seems too bloody hard!so I'm gonna pass on that for now! :wacko:

What about things like fertilizers and trimming plants?

What is the best way to trim plants? do you just take off the dead bits? is there a right and wrong way of doing it like it is the case with normal plants?


What do other people do with there excess plants when they get too big for there tanks?I was privileged enough to be given some plants by a fellow fishtanker after he done some trimming of his plants and with the prices of plants at the LFS it was very much appreciated. :wink:
I ask this next piece for the benefit of the whole forum not just myself, maybe a posting that allows for free to good home items such as unwanted aquarium items is an idea??? Rather than just binning older goods, i think it would be a good idea to help out fellow aquarist's that are just as passionate but can less afford things like equipment, plants and even fish at a price that you would get for them at your LFS for a trade or even free if you like?
Or maybe a section for plants on the discussion forum?
Any way just some ideas and questions for you all to ponder and reply too.
look forward to hear what other people do and think
Dazz[/b]

G'day Dazz
I can understand you giving up on CO2... I have been using this now for quite a few years, first the diy method more recently the delux stuff, but I'm still learning all the time. (I'm also into complex things with wires and tubes and valves every where :wacko: !! only joking, half..)
I'd say if you're after a low maintenance tank (other than feeds and water changes) go ahead and use no-fuss type of plants, somebody mentioned anubias recently and other plants include java fern and green stem plants. They should do alright with a bit of decent light.
Just be careful with fertilisers as when you use CO2 this acts as the driving force for plant growth and it's difficult to overfeed (I've discovered that plants are real hungry buggers when the conditions are right), but without CO2 it is easier to exceed the recommended iron concentration levels in the tank.
With regard to trimming, most stem plants can just be cut just below a node (thicker section on the stem) ideally where there are already some roots growing and the cut section with the beginnings of roots (or without is also OK) poked back into the gravel. Both parts should generally grow again, :biggrin: , but the problem you may get is that of over crowding, which can stunt growth :( .
Cheers
Peter

[Sloory]

I've chosen to go without co2 in my 3ft planted for now.
I'll see how they go and if they look like they're struggling, then i''l try it.

I think a planted tank forum is needed here. then inside that we can make a plant exchange thread. This would be a great place to get rid off your unwanted off cuts instead of just throwing them out.

If you don't want to use co2, another alternative is Florish Excel by Seachem.
It has organic carbon in it. I am using this instead of a C02 reactor.

[mac_man_luke]

Id be interested in off cuts :D

[wombat1100]

Thanks guys, I have both java fern and Anubis and also some other plants that Joz gave me , if you read this Joz can you remember the ones, what are they called!
I saw on a site somewhere a trimming kit for plants it had all long handled tools and looked great, I haven't seen any in the shops though, I bet they are worth a fortune!
What do people use to hold plants like Anubis and java fern onto the driftwood, i have been sticking it on with fishing line but its a big job, would elastic bands be OK?
Dazz

[Mjay~Fish-Freak]

Thanks guys, I have both java fern and Anubis and also some other plants that Joz gave me , if you read this Joz can you remember the ones, what are they called!
I saw on a site somewhere a trimming kit for plants it had all long handled tools and looked great, I haven't seen any in the shops though, I bet they are worth a fortune!
What do people use to hold plants like Anubis and java fern onto the driftwood, i have been sticking it on with fishing line but its a big job, would elastic bands be OK?
Dazz[/b]

i use cooking type twine to tie it on, can look messy at first ( i put these ones in a seperate tank until they have rooted ) but after 2 months or so when there stuck to the wood and you take off the twine they look great, i recently remvoed twine from my crested java fern and put it in my tank and couldn't be happier with the results looks stunning :biggrin:

[wombat1100]

G'day Dazz
I can understand you giving up on CO2... I have been using this now for quite a few years, first the diy method more recently the delux stuff, but I'm still learning all the time. (I'm also into complex things with wires and tubes and valves every where :wacko: !! only joking, half..)
I'd say if you're after a low maintenance tank (other than feeds and water changes) go ahead and use no-fuss type of plants, somebody mentioned anubias recently and other plants include java fern and green stem plants. They should do alright with a bit of decent light.
Just be careful with fertilisers as when you use CO2 this acts as the driving force for plant growth and it's difficult to overfeed (I've discovered that plants are real hungry buggers when the conditions are right), but without CO2 it is easier to exceed the recommended iron concentration levels in the tank.
With regard to trimming, most stem plants can just be cut just below a node (thicker section on the stem) ideally where there are already some roots growing and the cut section with the beginnings of roots (or without is also OK) poked back into the gravel. Both parts should generally grow again, :biggrin: , but the problem you may get is that of over crowding, which can stunt growth :( .
Cheers
Peter[/b]


Well I took the plunge today and chopped into the plants in my 3 foot planted tank, :ohmy: it too me 3 hours by the time i cut out all of the dead leaves from underneath the plants and cleaned them up.
I then took to my 5 foot tank and shared the cuttings into it and pilfered some plants out of that one for my 3 footer, giving me another 2 types of plants in it. :biggrin:
I took some Small Leafed Anubis cuttings and fixed them to the base of a mangrove root looking piece of timber, I'm hoping it will grow up to the top of it,you can see it in the picture if you look hard enough,sorry about the quality of the pics! :blush:
I have added a before and after shot, so i will be interested in hearing what people think.
The 3 footer now looks more open and less cluttered and the 5 footer is starting to look like a planted tank aswell! might have to get some more T5 lighting for that tank now.
Looks like I'm hooked on plants!!!! :wub:
I will try some fertilizer when I can get to my LFS.
Dazz

[sharkybubba]

hey dazz,

howd you go getting the fertilizer? ventured into it yet?

was recently thinking about getting more serious about my plants too! whats the smallest amount of effort id have to put in to have a fairly nicely planted tank- im still shying away from these co2 systems!!!!

[wombat1100]

Hey there Kat, as you know i don't run co2 and my plants are doing good.
i did get some fertilizer for mine . its a mix that the LFS gave me but i dunno if its making any difference, maybe if i did more regular water changes then i could ass more of it!
o well the plants are growing!!
Dazz

[Aussie]

I'm about to trim my java moss if anyone want's some?? when out of the water probably be a clump slightly smaller than a cricket ball, interest?

[wombat1100]

I haven't been able to find any in any LFS of late, is there a shortage?
I would love some Aussie, where abuts are you?
Dazz

[sharkybubba]

I haven't been able to find any in any LFS of late, is there a shortage?
I would love some Aussie, where abuts are you?
Dazz[/b]

sorry dazz ive snagged him for it!!! but you know me pal, we can go halves hahahaha

[Aussie]

Dunno about a shortage mate. But if you contact me in say 2-3 weeks i'll have heap's more again :) Happy to help everyone out!! And i will have pics of my tank up this weekend as Sharky was going to take some pics for me :) Thank's Sharky!

[joz]

I haven't been able to find any in any LFS of late, is there a shortage?
I would love some Aussie, where abuts are you?
Dazz[/b]


No shortage here either, lots of other goodies about to get trimmed aswell.

[Aussie]

Ay Joz, i'd be interested in some low light foreground plants if any are being trimmed :)

[joz]

Ay Joz, i'd be interested in some low light foreground plants if any are being trimmed :)[/b]

Hmm wish I could help there,I have a handful of stuff .Swords someAnubias cuttings and god knows what??But low light level??? :wacko:

[Aussie]

yeah i've got an anubias that wont stop giving off new plants haha, and i have a nice big sword already.