New Member

[Glendia01]

I am new here and do not have the slightest ideal what I am doing. I have three aquariums which I am attempting to raise fish and plants in. I am afraid I know a lot more about the fish then I do the plants. Up until now I have just stuck them in the substrate and hoped they grew. Some have and some haven't so now I am trying to find out why. What is normal and what is a sign of trouble and what I can do about the latter. I am retired so I have a good amount of time to devote to this hobbie. And probably a good amount of learning to do. I am looking for help. I need to know where to look for my information. That is why I have joined your organization.

I would appreciate any suggestion on where to start educating me an how to create, and care for planted freshwater aquarium.

Thanks

[Kush818]

Hello! I am a newbie too but I might be just a little bit ahead of you.

I did the same, stuck a bunch in the substrate and saw what happened.

I can tell you my Amazon Swords grow slowly. My Anubias also grow slowly.

I have this plant I forgot its name (ill get it eventually) and it grows super fast. My only fast growing plant.

I think most underwater plants grow a bit slow, but some grow fast. You will have to experiment. I do not feed my plants Co2 which may also affect the growth rates.

If the plant leaves are dead, trim them off. If the plant looks dead, see if any roots grew. If it has a good root structure it will be fine and is ok. I had an amazon sword I threw away because it never rooted and turned an icky brown throughout the leaves.

[Glendia01]

I have two different plant (species) that leaves turn transparent and then shred. I don't know if they are just old leaves that are dieing or is the plant sick? And worst is I don't know how to find out.
Poor Me

[Kush818]

Nono, not poor you. More people will come and answer your question too. Give it a day or two. Keep checking back and keep communicating. We will conquer this hobby together!

Cheers thumbs2:

[es31710]

Welcome to the forum Glendia!
Well first off it would help to know what size your tanks are and what fish you have in it. For the plants it would be helpful to post pictures so we can figure out what plants you have there. If the whole plant is shredding then something is wrong but if it is at the bottom some plants do that. What lighting do you have?

[CrunchyLeaf]

+1 to es31710

Knowing the size of tanks that you have, the type of lighting, the type of substrate, the water parameters (PH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, temp) and the stocking is a great way for us to give you more specific advice regarding your unique aquarium setup.

I am new to planted tanks as well. Here are the links to some of the Stickies from the Plant section of the forum that I have found very helpful. It would be advantageous to read all of them.

Light Requirements for Plants
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=10357

Easiest Plants for Beginners
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=4074

Caring For Your Live Plants - Nutrition
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=32062

The Balanced Planted Tank
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=22361

[Lady Hobbs]

I had problems trying to grow plants until I finally got planted tank substrate. Substrate plays a key role as well as the lightening and of course buying only the plants that work with the lightening you purchased. I use no CO2, buy plants that do well in low-medium lighting and the plants that don't do well for me, I remove and get rid of them and move on.

[ScottishFish]

Welcome to the AC :22: