Browner

Varies (fairly new tank), but currently about 20 PPM.

Hi All. Here's the situation: Simple 15G tank setup (Fluval Flex), 4 platys + 2 more fry that we managed to save in a breeding tank that are doing well. My main concern: My plants don't seem to be thriving, and I'm afraid the newly appearing algae is possibly out-competing them. Tank is about 2 months old. Nitrogen cycle seems well established (near-zero ammonia, low-to-zero nitrites, and nitrates range from low to up to 30/40 ppm, depending on fertilizer dosing. I currently have some moss, which is doing fine. 2nd plant that's "probably" something like hygrophila polysperma, although I honestly don't know. This one is interesting - the bottom leaves look pretty bad, covered in black/brown spots and some holes, look like they're dying away, but the top is looking great, new leaves growing in emerald green. I also pruned and replanted a couple stems from this, and the new plants look to be doing ok thusfar. Last plant - star grass. It was growing like crazy at the start, but now seems to be slowing down and looks......... unhealthy. This seems to have coincided with a lot of algae (pretty sure it's diatoms - brown gunk covering the walls and the gravel). I just recently started fertilizing a week ago (that "one step" or whatever it's called from Aquarium co-op). Interestingly that's when the star grass seemed to have taken a bit of a dive. Gravel on the bottom is quite coarse, because 5-year old girls like florescent fun stuff, not proper substrate. Any suggestions? Should I try to clean all the algae off surfaces during weekly water changes? Should I continue to fertilize or is that making it worse? I was hoping the star grass would eventually achieve a carpet-effect through pruning and propagation, but now I'm worried they aren't going to make it! Lights are on about 10-12 hours a day - too much? Any tips much appreciated (fish are doing fine - it's just the plants that are a concern). Thanks!!!

Awesome thanks for the help guys and girls. After doing some comparisons, I'm not convinced it's Scarlet Temple, because it is entirely green - I think some of the reflections in the water make it appear to have light red tones, but in reality it's totally light green throughout. Hygrophila Compacta seems like a very good possibility; I've also sent the photo to my LFS to find out for certain. Thanks again!

Hi All, I need help identifying a plant in my aquarium, plus any tips for taking care of it. I started a new aquarium for my daughter a couple months ago (hence the florescent gravel and purple plant, which I hope to eventually replace once my daughter loses interest 🙂 ). This plant was suggested by my local shop as a fairly low maintenance variety, but I didn't know enough then to ask how to take care of it. I've done some googling - seems like it could potentially be Java fern? Not sure. Main questions: 1. What plant is it? 2. I've ordered some Easy Green all in one fertilizer. Will this be sufficient to let the plant thrive? 3. As you can see, the current gravel is course. The bottom stems of the plant are still wrapped together in a foam tube - I was told that this was preferable for a coarse gravel tank such as this. Would you guys agree that I should keep it wrapped in this tube? Indefinitely (or at least until I get some finer substrate)? 4. If it is indeed Java fern, from what I've read they prefer low light. I currently have a 10.8 W bulb in a 15 gal tank, plus I've tried to somewhat "hide" this plant under the fake purple plant. Will this do the trick? Thanks all!

Hey thanks very much for the tips! Much appreciated!

Hi All, I'm new to the hobby and really enjoying so far. I have a 15 gal (Flex Fluval) with a few plattys, some Star grass, and another unidentified plant (which I'll make a separate post about one day). The star grass is doing pretty well without much effort, but I do have a few questions: 1. Do I need to add separate fertilizer, or can it survive off the nutrients from fish poop? I'm trying to keep a fairly basic low maintenance set up for now. 2. If I trim the top off a shoot, can I just stick it back in the gravel and will it grow as a new plant? My intention is to eventually achieve a 3-4" carpet-style spread in one back corner of the tank with the star grass. 3. Some of the lower sections are turning dark and messy (probably not quite enough light in a couple areas). Do I need to prune and dispose of these, or is it ok to leave them with the fresh green shoots growing over top? Maybe a dumb question but do aquatic plants obtain any benefit (like nutrients) from their own decomposing dead leaves? 4. Any other tips? One thing to note is that the bottom of the tank is covered in about 2-3" of coarse gravel (maybe 1/8 - 1/4” gravel size). Thanks so much for any tips!