PTJimmy Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 I have 3 month old 37 gal tank, planted with some java fern, anubias, amazon sword. Have been doing 20% water change weekly. Fish are doing well (2 corys, 4 algae eaters Otos, 5 black neon, 2 honey gourami). Ammonia, nitrite AND nitrate levels have always been zero. pH 6.4, soft water. Plants : java fern producing lots of offshoots (not sure of proper term) at tips of leaves, anubias and swords look ok but not really growing much. Should I be concerned that nitrate levels are zero? Do I need for them to be higher? And advice on achieving that. Thanks, newbie here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JosiahBass Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 It is a good thing to have your nitrates low. The only reason you would want nitrates is for your plants, as long as your plants are growing it's ok.👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony s Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 You have a happy Java fern. That said, it’s a water column feeder. It does need some nitrates for fertilizer. It’s using up what you have, which is good. But may need more. Your sword is a root feeder and does need root tabs. you have 2 choices. You have room to add fish, or you can fertilize more. Me, I always like to add fish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mmiller2001 Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 You should be concerned with 0 nitrates. Plants need N, P and K along with micro elements. If any of these bottoms out, the plant begins dying. Also, Swords do not need root tabs, water column dosing is all that’s needed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony s Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 (edited) https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwigveuzh9GEAxXuv4kEHZktDusQFnoECA0QAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aquariumcoop.com%2Fblogs%2Ffaqs%2Fhow-to-plant-swords%23%3A~%3Atext%3DSwords%20are%20heavy%20root%20feeders%2Cto%20plant%20live%20aquarium%20plants.&usg=AOvVaw1xE6pZGdW6FIGfSMXcB4DB&opi=89978449 I don’t use root tabs anymore. I have enough mulm in my gravel. But …. See above Edited February 29 by Tony s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mmiller2001 Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 On 2/29/2024 at 10:20 AM, Tony s said: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwigveuzh9GEAxXuv4kEHZktDusQFnoECA0QAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aquariumcoop.com%2Fblogs%2Ffaqs%2Fhow-to-plant-swords%23%3A~%3Atext%3DSwords%20are%20heavy%20root%20feeders%2Cto%20plant%20live%20aquarium%20plants.&usg=AOvVaw1xE6pZGdW6FIGfSMXcB4DB&opi=89978449 Untrue. Just ongoing old wives tales that are continually passed on unfortunately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOtrees Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 On 2/29/2024 at 12:24 PM, Mmiller2001 said: Untrue. Just ongoing old wives tales that are continually passed on unfortunately. Can you expand/clarify? Swords are not root feeders? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mmiller2001 Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 On 2/29/2024 at 10:47 AM, TOtrees said: Can you expand/clarify? Swords are not root feeders? Swords are just hogs for nutrients, they don’t care where it comes from. People mistake large root systems for root/ heavy root feeders. The larger root systems are for anchoring mostly. Usually from seasonal flood areas or faster than normal flowing rivers and such. Here’s a good little blog post https://www.2hraquarist.com/blogs/fertilize-planted-tank/root-or-water-dosing?_pos=2&_psq=root feeder&_ss=e&_v=1.0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeQ Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 Your java fern is definitely not happy. Java fern produces baby plants (shoots from their leaves) when stressed. As for your nitrates I'd have your water tested by a 3rd party to compare the results. You may be using an expired test , if using test strips they are convenient but not the most accurate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony s Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 i did not know that. i assumed it was normal propagation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeQ Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 On 2/29/2024 at 1:31 PM, Tony s said: i did not know that. i assumed it was normal propagation Well you are half right; it is propagating but.. It's more of a survival instinct being stimulated. The plant is hating life at the moment and ensuring the survival of the species in case it doesn't survive the situation shes in! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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