Strong Dead Organics Smell

flowerslegacy

I'm plugging along with my newly planted tanks, doing all I can to keep my plants healthy. I have 3 planted 10gals. I'm fighting algea in two of them and thanks to the forum I think I have it under control with less lighting and more fertilizer. However, one of my tanks just smells so strongly of dead organics. I removed a lot of it. Between the pennywort, Wisteria and Water Sprite I can't seem to keep them alive. They do well at first, and then die slowly. Right now they look semi-yellowing and I know they're on the way out. I also find dead pieces that fall behind the decorations, throughout the tank, and I remove quite a bit during each weekly water change. I think I finally removed it all.

I like the floaters because I have bettas, but I'm starting to become disappointed. I'm planning on buying all new flourescent bulbs because currently I have 8000k 15W flourescents that came with the Aqueon tank set ups. Perhaps that's my problem?? Anyway, should I scrap all the floaters and start with other plants? Ugh, I've spent so much money on plants . . .

I have Anubias, Swords and White Ribbons who seem to be doing well so far. They're all planted in standard gravel. I'm a newbie planter and still learning. Thanks for your help.

zof

Yup getting a bulb in the 6500k range would be the first setup, I was using the same bulb and while it would keep my plants alive they would not really grow.

Boredomb

I agree with Zof but also the White ribbon plant if it is Dracaena Sanderiana. Its not a true aquatic plant and will die after a few months being under water.

On your pennywort, Wisteria, and Water Sprite. Did you have all of them floating?

flowerslegacy

Wow - thank you guys. I really appreciate the quick responses. I got the ribbon pretty big, hoping he'll be out of the water sooner than later. Some of the leaves are already sticking out of the top. I've got my fingers crossed and thank you for confirming. The gal at the LFS stated it was fully submersible but I had my doubts. In regards to the Wisteria & Water Sprite: Most of it was planted and a few Water Sprite have survived nicely in one of my tanks - but very little based on how much I've purchased :( Byron informed me that Wisteria requires tons of light, which I didn't provide the correct source, so a lot died and the rest is dieing. I allowed some of the Water Sprite and Wisteria to float, in hopes that might save it, but now the plants are yellowing and the tank is stinky. I fully floated all of the pennywort because the sprigs were sooo hard to keep planted. I need to try another method to keep it down. My bettas love it. I'll go out and get those bulbs. I searched the forum and it sounds like 6500k zoo med bulbs? Any suggestions? I'm tired of algea and watching (smelling) my plants die.

zof

Go with 6500k hardware store generics, pretty much same thing for less cost, sure the special bulbs might just be a little bit better on the spectrum but you shouldn't notice that much of a difference. In fact I use screw in spiral CFL bulbs over my tanks and the plants do fine.

Boredomb

Zoomeds ultra daylight bulbs will work good or another is Hagen Life glo2 bulbs. I have used the Zoomed bulb but never the other as I can not get it locally. Have heard the two are about equal.

Yes the Wisteria is a light demanding plant. I have it in my 55 gallon and it seems to do alright for now. I have had it for a little bit. It did lose about 2 leaves since I got it. Its best to keep it floating if you don't have bright enough light.

Boredomb

As Zof said the bulbs from the hardware store are cheaper and just as good. I have 2 GE daylight bulbs over my 55 gallon tank that has the Wisteria in it.

flowerslegacy

Awesome. I'm going out tomorrow and getting new bulbs. When I do my water changes this friday I'll do an over-haul. Boredbom - what do you reccomend I do with the ribbon plants to get them higher out of the water? Only a few tips are sticking out and I don't want to lose them. Should I plant them in some pots to raise them up temporarily while they grow?

Boredomb

Honestly from what I have heard about the plant just the roots need to be water and that's it. If it was me (and by the way the reason I know this is because I have been there. It was one of the first plants I bought locally.) I would take it altogether and plant it in a pot in the window seal. (I got so mad that I threw mine in the yard LoL)

flowerslegacy

hahahaha! I love the visual. I know how you felt - I'm ready to huck all my plants out in the yard!