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Aquatic Plants Purchased in a "basket"

17K views 5 replies 4 participants last post by  brownmane 
#1 · (Edited)
One of my LFS's sell most all of their aquatic plants in what I describe as a small plastic basket.

Their plants look far superior to anything I have seen locally (there's some ruff looking stuff in some of these shops).

My question: is it okay to leave some of the plants in my aquarium in the basket?

I'm trying to cycle my tank so I want to add more plants.

I'm not going to decide on how to stock until I see what my final ph looks like... I would prefer to stock based on my tank ph and not add fish that require me to continually buffer the water to meet the needs of my fish. I hope that makes sense!?

Since I'm not sure of my fish selection I don't want to buy products and perform a final aquascape yet as the aquascape needs could be different for different species...

So I think "mobile plants" might be a good option?.

I also was thinking that leaving the plants in the basket would make it a little easier to clean the gravel without affecting the plants?

My thoughts are 6-7 plants in a 29 gallon.

Thanks!

T-bird
 
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#2 ·

I think leaving them in the basket for the reasons you mentioned is fine. In the long run taking them out and planting will be better for the plant, so the roots can spread and take in the nitrates in the substrate. Just make sure you remove, carefully, the material from the roots that is in the basket. Moving plants isn't difficult however, once they are in the substrate, so I wouldn't worry about that. I've had some who've wrapped their roots around fertilizer sticks, and I just move the stick too.

Gwen
 
#3 ·
Like Gwen, I would recommend leaving them in the little pots for the present while you are designing the aquascape. With sufficient light and nutrients they should be fine. However, this is a temporary measure. Plants need space and depending upon the species the roots will grow through the rock wool [the white stuff around the roots] and through the slits in the pots and into the substrate. It is best to remove the pot and most of the rock wool once you are ready to plant them so the roots will have free space to grow into for a healthier plant.

I have done the above a few times; once I forgot about the plants and left them in the pots in the spare plant tank, and they clearly started having problems. For the sort term fine, but not long-term.

Byron.
 
#4 ·
I'm not going to decide on how to stock until I see what my final ph looks like... I would prefer to stock based on my tank ph and not add fish that require me to continually buffer the water to meet the needs of my fish. I hope that makes sense!?

Since I'm not sure of my fish selection I don't want to buy products and perform a final aquascape yet as the aquascape needs could be different for different species...
T-bird
Hope you enjoy the planted aquarium. The plants help greatly to keep your water safer for your fish and cycling will be faster.

You are making complete sense to pick fish according to your pH. You will have much happier fish and you will be able to enjoy your hobby. For fish info, just check out the Tropical Fish Profiles tab at the top of the page. And have fun:)
 
#5 ·
"Hope you enjoy the planted aquarium"


I am very much enjoying my tank with a few plants, they are beautiful!!! and a number of my family members come into my office where the tank is located and just stare at my mildly planted, fishlees aqaurium.... They love it too!

But I have to pull everything down to correct an issue I'm not happy with prior to the cycle setting in and I hope nothing goes foul with my plants in the process.

My tank came with an UGF and two powerheads, so I installed them and purchased an Aquaclear 50 HOB filter as well.... The power heads are too big and the HOB filter seems more than sufficent, in fact it seems to work better with the UGF off. So I'm going to remove the UGF.

So hoepfully my plants will manage.

I've learned alot just through the short cycle time which I hope will help me become a better "aquarist"....
 
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