plants and air stones

[engine312]

I have tried having live plants a few times and I keep killing them. I have killed java fern, my water seems to be ok. I brought some water into my LFS and they tested it. I was talking to them and they told me my problem was my airstone. They told me to shut it off because I wasn't getting enough carbon dioxide and I should do ok. I bought a couple annubias which my fish seem to like, and a couple of Valisneria. I have a 75 gallon with low light, I get sun during the day. I have my light on all night. Also I was told not to plant the roots by one person and told that I could plant the roots. Your thought on that would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Shellies215]

Plants actually need some time with no light ( darkness) They use co2 and light to photosynthesize and absorb nutrients, and they use that energy to grow and survive in the darkness. Try using 10hrs of light per 24hr period to start, and depending on how heavy your tank is stocked, you may want to add a valve to bleed off some pressure outside the tank, before it feeds your airstone. This also depends on how heavy your tank is planted. If you have lots of healthy plants, they will give off lots of O2 while the lights are on, eliminating the need for an airstone, but there are many factors involved in reaching a healthy balance between plants and fish. Some pics of your setup would be a great help.

[Shellies215]

Also, You can carefully plant the roots with tweezers, But I wouldn't totally bury the base of the stem where it meets the roots (I think it's called the rhizome) You can also carefully tie the base of the plant to a rock or driftwood, and let it root itself.

I am no expert on plants at all, but I hope I helped a little.

[Fish Junkie]

Also, You can carefully plant the roots with tweezers, But I wouldn't totally bury the base of the stem where it meets the roots (I think it's called the rhizome) You can also carefully tie the base of the plant to a rock or driftwood, and let it root itself.

I am no expert on plants at all, but I hope I helped a little.
+1 if you plant it so deep the rhizome it will rot and kill the plant ( same for java fern )

[Heyguy74]

An airstone does not provide O2 to the water. It increases the gas exchange between the water and air. It does this by increasing the surface area of the water. The larger the surface area the more gas your will exchange. If your filters water movement breaks the water surface with their flow you should not need an airstone. Just remove the airstone and you will be fine.

[nyc2tanks]

Are you adding CO2? Adding CO2 will make the plants grow very well. I have the same three types of plants - java fern, anubias and vallisneria - in 45 and 75 gallon tanks with Malawi cichlids. Once I started adding the CO2, the plants took off - very lush. You can buy expensive CO2 systems or you can buy the Red Sea Turbo CO2 system for $30 from one of our sponsors. Once a month you empty and refill the reaction chamber - water, sugar, baking soda and yeast. I have the quantities at home so I will post later.

With the vallisneria you can bury the roots in the substrate. I would put the val in the back of the tank as it can grow to the top easily. For the anubias and java fern you should tie the roots to drift wood or rocks but you should not bury the roots.

Plants produce oxygen during the day and release CO2 at night. I would recommend turning on and running the lights and the CO2 at the same time during the day, while turning off the airstone. Turn the lights and CO2 off at night, and turn the air stone on.

If you have the CO2 and lights straightened out, then the only other factor would be to add some plant fertilizer when you do your water changes.

[nyc2tanks]

Water has much less CO2 in it than air, that is why planted tanks have CO2 supplementation.

[engine312]

Are you adding CO2? No I am not.

With the vallisneria you can bury the roots in the substrate. I would put the val in the back of the tank as it can grow to the top easily. For the anubias and java fern you should tie the roots to drift wood or rocks but you should not bury the roots.

To tie the roots. Can I use rubber bands?

I will look into the Co2

Thank you for your help.

[engine312]

Thank you to all that have responded. :ty::ty::ty:

[s10jimmy]

Will co2 work with sponge filtered tanks ?

[Longstocking]

yes :)

[nyc2tanks]

Yes, you can use rubber bands, but I find them unsightly. I tie my anubias and java fern with fishing line, it's practically invisible.

There was a thread in the plant section by Blonde Fish Gal that told us everything we need to know about CO2. She has stunning planted tanks.

Two years ago, I was like you, my plants kept fading away. The I followed Blonde Fish Gal's advice and started adding CO2. My plants have been thriving ever since. I now have a jungle of valisneria started from one plant. I will bring some more to the Spring auction. I also spoke to Karen Randall (one of the country's top experts on planted tanks) and she gave the same advice to add CO2.

The formula for the Red Sea Turbo CO2 canister is
1 liter luke warm water
1 1/4 cup sugar
3 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon yeast

Gently shake for 2 minutes and you are good to go. Empty the canister and put in a fresh mix once a month. They sell premixes but it is much less expensive to buy the ingredients and mix yourself, all ingredients are available at your local supermarket.

[zcfish]

How many watts do you run on the tank? You may need to upgrade the light a little if it's too low. I had success with running twin tube T5 (normal output 56w) on a 75w. A little co2 definitely helped and my Vals popped up everywhere.

Also get some root tabs if the substrate is inert. Root plants need nutrients from the substrate.

[cichfrk]

Are you adding CO2? Adding CO2 will make the plants grow very well. I have the same three types of plants - java fern, anubias and vallisneria - in 45 and 75 gallon tanks with Malawi cichlids. Once I started adding the CO2, the plants took off - very lush. You can buy expensive CO2 systems or you can buy the Red Sea Turbo CO2 system for $30 from one of our sponsors. Once a month you empty and refill the reaction chamber - water, sugar, baking soda and yeast. I have the quantities at home so I will post later.

With the vallisneria you can bury the roots in the substrate. I would put the val in the back of the tank as it can grow to the top easily. For the anubias and java fern you should tie the roots to drift wood or rocks but you should not bury the roots.

Plants produce oxygen during the day and release CO2 at night. I would recommend turning on and running the lights and the CO2 at the same time during the day, while turning off the airstone. Turn the lights and CO2 off at night, and turn the air stone on.

If you have the CO2 and lights straightened out, then the only other factor would be to add some plant fertilizer when you do your water changes.Very interesting and informative. I've always wanted to start a planted tank but lack the know-how. A Malawi community tank though colorful and action packed will still benefit from the addition of plants. How about a planted Tang community tank? I've already started adding anubias in my Sandsifter tank and I really like the look(Sarah gave me the hint). The anubias is struggling by the way. How about a planted Trophs tank, is it doable? Please post some pics of your planted cichlid tank.

I think we better start a Planted Tank section in the forum.:whistle:.