Hi, i have a live plant in my tank and it is not looking very healthy, does anyone have any information on what i could do?

I think it is some kind of red rotala, could i cut it back really low, there are no leaves on the stems until about 4 inches up, that is why it looks bad.


Thanks

James

Hi, my last couple of questions, if i have live plants in my tank, what would be the requirements? i have heard of CO2 diffusers but what do they do? do aquatic plants use CO2 to photosynthesise instead of oxygen, if so, should i not have an air pump in the tank?


Thanks in advance

James

Hi all plants use co2 to photosynthesize. Most aquatic plants are not that hard to look after but all do require a few things. Some people have luck strait off without doing anything but it all depends on your tank setup.

All plants need
-nutrients, i.e. nitrate/phosphates/iron and other minerals.
-Light and a lot of it. About 12 hours a day with a quality agricultural fluorescent or other type of bulb.
-C02. If you tank is well oxygenated and does not have a high stocking rate you will not have much of this.


My setup for plants
150ltr tank
Good quality light tube on 12 hours a day
Small area of JBL plant substrate for rooted plants (covered in fine gravel
JBL bio co2 canister 160 £40(works a treat) replace bio media once every 6 weeks. Refills not expensive
Very occasionally add fertilizes (with the soil in the tank there is not really any need for a year or so if not over planted)
7.5 ph
26 degrees

Also most plants don’t like strong currents

Thanks Taylor, i have made the most stupid error ever, i forgot plants used Co2! i can't beleive that
Anyway, thanks for the information, but would it be OK to cut the plant right back almost to the base to see if it grows a bit better?

Thanks

James