Fresh Water plants

**gloryfades** · 11-04-2009, 09:22 PM

I am pretty new at the aquarium thing, but I have noticed that after about 2 weeks the 2 live plants I have in my fresh water tank are developing brown spots on them.

The tank mostly gets only artificial light from the tank bulb and some sunlight during the day but it is very limited. Also, the tank temperature is relatively high because I have a betta and other fish that require higher temps.

Are the brown spots due to the low light and high water temp or could there be something else going on that I am unaware of?

**rich311k** · 11-04-2009, 09:24 PM

How much light and what kind of plants?

**Mith** · 11-04-2009, 11:05 PM

First, welcome to the forum! Just a reminder, you may have more luck with your quest in the "plant" area of the forum.

I'm also new to plants, but have noticed that if I give them (the plants) too nuch light brown stuff grows on them. Ottos are one solution...less light is another (depending on the quality of your lighting system).

Good luck!

**rookie** · 11-04-2009, 11:55 PM

welcome to ac. your brown spots could be due to a numerous amount of things. having plants is a balancing act however once you find your balance they are the most rewarding thing in your tank well of course with the exeption of your fish lol. like rich said we would need to know as much about your lighting and your tank as possible to get a better understainding of what your problem could be. some plants like crypts die off a little then grow back. so if you could please tell us as much as you can about your tank and whats in it.

**cer** · 11-05-2009, 12:23 AM

First what types of plants you have? What lighting do you have? And how big is your tank?

**Gramazing** · 11-05-2009, 01:29 AM

Perhaps you have the same problem I have - brown thumb syndrome. I can't even keep hornwart alive, with high nitrates and nice new plant friendly bulbs.

**gloryfades** · 11-05-2009, 01:51 AM

The bulb says 2U 9W Daylight 120V/60hz on it. its got tubes not like a standard light bulb. as for the type of plants ... i am pretty sure one of them is a regular type of grass plant and the other has long stems with large leaves..i know that is probably no help but i have absolutely no idea what type of plants they are i picked them up at the pet store when i got the tank. Also, I run the light for about 10 - 12 hours a day.

**korith** · 11-05-2009, 03:10 AM

How big the is tank? For most plants you want to have around 2-3 watts per gallon. More than likely any stock lighting isn't enough for many plants. Really depends on the plant's light requirements, some do well enough with less light. Plant may be browning because of a lack of light, or also another reason I can think of is lack of nutrients. What kind of substrate do you have in the tank? You may have to add in fertilizer tablets into the substrate to help the plants along.

If you can post a picture or two of the plants, we can tell you what they are.

**Mith** · 11-05-2009, 03:28 AM

Originally Posted by gloryfades

The bulb says 2U 9W Daylight 120V/60hz on it. its got tubes not like a standard light bulb. as for the type of plants ... i am pretty sure one of them is a regular type of grass plant and the other has long stems with large leaves..i know that is probably no help but i have absolutely no idea what type of plants they are i picked them up at the pet store when i got the tank. Also, I run the light for about 10 - 12 hours a day.

This is a useful link...

http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide.php