Plants Have Arrived...Yay, Now Where To Start?

[Pilgrim89]

Just don't tell the misses that

Secret's safe with me!

Glad you were able to dose tonight, hopefully that saves them

[TropicalFishForums]

[Adam_Chambers]

Minor update on the overall condition.

The Crypts are melting but that was expected. The golden Nana are all starting to flower at moment under water with new flower buds starting to shoot so although I assume they are not meant to do so under water would take that as good health generally on that front.

The Ludwigia Repens Ruben has grown about 2cm on most the stems so far but looking a little out of colour which I am putting down to the lack of CO2.

Everything else just looks a little lacking from the need of CO2 at the moment. Some tips of the plants are also browning.

Cheers Pilgrim.

[Pilgrim89]

Shame about the Crypts, I'm starting to think that Crypts are a waste of time, effort and money what with how often I read about them 'melting'!

[KevB]

Look forward to seeing some awesome pictures of the Rainbows, thank you for your help and recommendations

Here you go, sorry it's blurry but they don't stay still much apart from the largest of the M ogilbyi which is why its sharpest (low middle) the more slender ones in the upper parts of the pics are the McCullochi. I seem to have captured all 5 of my ogilbyi and 4 of the 6 macs all in one shot! There are also the last 2 remaining red eyed tetra which I think all came diseased and the last 2 don't look good even after multiple treatments.

[Pilgrim89]

There are also the last 2 remaining red eyed tetra which I think all came diseased and the last 2 don't look good even after multiple treatments.

Could be a case of previous over-breeding of the same pair... The gene pool getting watered down too much but they might just be unlucky fish, who knows?! haha 

[Adam_Chambers]

The crypts are known for melting when first planted so hoping they will come back with a vengeance once settled. Will see. Still have the crypts from Aqua Essentials to arrive as they delivered to the wrong address but I asked them to hold of resending so I could see how it's establishing and they seemed happy to do so as already had my money lol.

Kev they look excellent, really good colours and sizes. Thank you for sharing that. Certainly going to see what I can do in regards to purchasing some

In regards to the red eyes, I had a group of 20 in old tank, 5 survived the first year only. No apparent reason. Got a second batch and they were fine for 3 years so they certainly seem very much hit and miss in their quality even 6 years ago. Poor things.

Handy thing is because I know the size well of the red eye it makes it easier to see the true scale of the rainbows.

[Gingerlove05]

Crypts and Vallis are renowned for melting when first added and when liquid carbon is used. For some reason they dont like it. All my crypts have grown like monsters from where i started, and i dont use liquid carbon (and decided not to at the start) because of this.


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[Jamesfacchini]

I use liquid carbon and tropica fertiliser and my vallis and crypts are doing really well. I do have soil as well though.

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[Adam_Chambers]

I have always found Vallis to melt with liquid CO2. Well specifically Flourish Excel.

Wasn't aware Crypts particularly melted from liquid CO2 but have known them to melt from change in lights, change in water parameters, change in temperature so yeah pretty much anything.

After dosing the CO2 last night the Ludwigia has shot up with another good 1-2cm of growth so I would say the CO2 is showing obvious signs that it was needed and now I am dosing 20ml a day of Tropica Specialised Ferts as well.

Once I don't have to worry about manual CO2 and got the gas running I feel things should settle well. Just got to hope certain plants last till then and I will finally be able to get my carpet plants in.

[Adam_Chambers]

So with the heavy Crypt melt should I be removing all the dead/dying leaves because I think some would end up with none on them at all.

[Gingerlove05]

If they are going yellow/brown then just clip them off at the base, it promotes growth of new leaves and dying leaves dont help the plants


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[Pilgrim89]

I've read that you should trim off the dead or dying leaves at the base, as GL says, because the plant is putting lots more energy into repairing the dying leaves rather than the growth of healthy new leaves.

[Adam_Chambers]

Cool was my assumption too, just wasn't sure on Crypts cause of the known melt. Will have a good trim around. Unfortunately can't be till tomorrow due to commitments but will see what is left then.

[kas]

It's very common to get melt when plants are first added to a tank. Even if you had the pressurised CO2 running it probably would have happened. In the shop they are maintained in an environment where they aren't necessarily fully submerged in deep water. It takes time for them to adjust.

[Adam_Chambers]

It's very common to get melt when plants are first added to a tank. Even if you had the pressurised CO2 running it probably would have happened. In the shop they are maintained in an environment where they aren't necessarily fully subergen in deep water. It takes time for them to adjust.

Aye, in fairness the melt generally isn't too bad overall. Just the Crypts.

The good thing is that the plants generally were in reasonable health as they came direct from supplier Thursday to Aquarium Gardens and then to me on the Friday so were not moved or sat about for a week and then had to go through another move as such.