Newby questions regarding plants.

Hi All. Here's the deal - I have a small tank with some real plants because I think the plastic ones are yuck. My (extremely newby) questions are:


- Can the plants be left in the little baskets and "filler material" that they come in from the shop / is it OK to place these in the tank and secure with stones, etc? If they need to be removed from the baskets and material can the roots be planted directly into the gravel/pebbles?


- Do I need to add anything special to the water with regards to fertilizer/nutrients for the plants?

 

NO ...
The filler material is like fibreglass and can get stuck in the fishes gills etc..
What plants are they ? some need to be tied to wood or similar with roots exposed , then some need planting in gravel .

 

:blink: Oh dear - you'd think the guy at the pet shop would mention stuff like that.

There are some ferns and some other stuff that looks a bit like baby spinach (maybe?) - long leaves up to 15mm wide growing from the base.

 

@-dave it would help the plant fundis if you post pics of the plants

 

They can survive, but not ideal. However, the "glasswool" in the containers are a health hazard to the fish. So Ideally, you need to remove the plant from the container and plant it in the gravel. You can plant it directly in the gravel. But I'm assuming that you bought an amazon sword / Java fern? if it is the Sword, then plant directly in gravel. If Java fern, plant only the roots in gravel, but expose the rhizome. Do not cover the rhizome, or it will die.

Ideally yes, you need to fertilize. maybe get yourself a "complete" fertilizer, like Tropica.

what plants do you have?

 

Here are some pics of the plants.

 

1. Java fern
2. Maybe a Bolbitis?

Both can be either tied to driftwood or rocks. Rhizomes must be exposed, or they will die.

 

Thanks for the info. I'll have to make a plan to get a piece of driftwood or nice rocks a.s.a.p.

 

...another newby question - how does one tie the plants to the driftwood/rocks?

 

Hi, I use a black string that you use to repair tents and canvas with.

Get a tweezer to help if you have big fingers.

You can tie the Java Fern to a price of driftwood, eventually it will attach itself to the driftwood.

 

+1