Indicator plants

[blizowman1]

I've heard that putting certain plants in your tank can tell you which nutrients your tank is lacking. I know rotala indica is a good indicator for iron, is there any other plants that you all may know of and can you tell me what nutrient they show signs for?

 

[aqua_chem]

Is there a particular nutrient you're wanting to monitor?

Really though, any plant can act as an indicator. If you don't have enough of something, it blanches, but otherwise it's fine.

 

[blizowman1]

Well I'm just having algae problems and without spending 50 bucks on all kinds of tests I'm trying to figure out what is causing it I guess

 

[blizowman1]

Do you know what the main cause of green slime algae is??

 

[aqua_chem]

Blue Green Algae? Google up some pics and let me know if that's what it looks like.

If that's the case, it's usually a combination of low nitrate, high light/low CO2, and poor tank cleanliness, although only one is needed to bring it on. Blackouts/peroxide can be effective, but I generally just recommend hitting it with an appropriate dose of antibiotics because the other options never seem to work particularly well.

 

[aqua_chem]

Cyperus Helferi is a pretty awesome plant, but it does get big.