i've got it bad!--- the great excel disaster

[7Enigma]

WHOA! No one is calling you an idiot. These are VERY important posts for the forum, however, so that no one makes the same mistakes. A mistake is never something to be ashamed of or feel stupid doing!

If we all knew everything about this hobby this website wouldn't exist. I just wanted others to know that any chemical used, regardless of its intended use, CAN have unwanted consequences. We try to minimize those, but sometimes we word a procedure/method wrongly.

You have removed the fish, done a large PWC, and are monitoring your parameters (get that ammonia kit! ), your doing a good job of remedying the tank.

 

[Vmax911]

Absolutely don't get discouraged. I'm a newb here, and was considering an excel dip if my algae issue worsens. I was planning on doing the same thing you did (my thought was excel is expensive, why would I rinse it off and waste it). Thanks so much for posting the results of your dip. The comments have explained what happened, now I won't make the same mistake.

 

[joannde]

Waterpond - I know its a difficult time but (a) we all learned something here, so for that I know I thank you and (b) do NOT give up on your tank ! Your DP needs his/her tank back and looks forward to seeing your new creation and (c) when people offer things its not charity - its their heart wishing to do an act of kindness; we WANT to do it, otherwise we wouldn't offer

 

[mr funktastic]

sorry water pond i will have to cut off my charity to you i will work on my tank and see if i can get some trimmings for u to restart. my l.repens is growing like crazy so i should have some spare soon. i have accepted many offerings from other members of this site and that is what allowed me to give u plants. just make sure in the future when your tank succeds to offer something back to the members. its what keeps the cycle going.

 

[WaterPond]

thanks for all of your kind words, i really appreciate them

Here is an update
-java moss turned to mush
-lilacina turned to mush
-crypts melted

I am also thinking that i have to re-cycle my tank(i will find out once i get my ammonia tested)

Thanks again for all your help

 

[WaterPond]

all of my crypts melted now and i dont think they are coming back, the roots are kinda mushy too. Christmas is gone too, i have a little clump left that didnt get dipped though. My anubias anan is gone too, turned grey today and started to get mushy.

 

[7Enigma]

all of my crypts melted now and i dont think they are coming back, the roots are kinda mushy too. Christmas is gone too, i have a little clump left that didnt get dipped though. My anubias anan is gone too, turned grey today and started to get mushy.

I would remove anything that has turned to mush, the odds of them recovering are slim to none, and they are probably rotting in your tank and releasing more ammonia. I can't believe that your anubias kicked the bucket, that is the literal tank of the plant world!

I would go out and get a bundle of fast grower(s) in the meantime to help keep your nitrAtes/algae at bay. I'm partial to wisteria since it looks nice, grows VERY quickly (I've removed it from my tank because I got sick of trimming all the time), and is very easy to see nutrient deficiencies.

 

[WaterPond]

I am going plant shopping this weekend! lol. Planning on a small val(jungle or corkscrew) so dwarf hairgrass, and if i can find wisteria i will get it. I have a tiny bit in there right now from a different tank and it is already growing like crazy. I will have a look around

 

[7Enigma]

I am going plant shopping this weekend! lol. Planning on a small val(jungle or corkscrew) so dwarf hairgrass, and if i can find wisteria i will get it. I have a tiny bit in there right now from a different tank and it is already growing like crazy. I will have a look around

If you've already got some healthy wisteria in the tank don't bother buying any. Give it a week and you can propogate 5-10 "plantlings", give it another week and it will take over the world!

 

[WaterPond]

the wisteria is about 4 stems about 10-2 inches high, it just started to root.

 

[7Enigma]

is that 10-12" high or 1-2" high? Big difference there. I'll assume you meant 1-2" high, and would probably recommend floating 2 of the 4 since these plants absorb their nutrients through the stalk/leaves, the roots I don't believe do much except for anchor. I'd keep them under high light near the surface (ie floating) and they will explode if you have the proper ferts...

 

[WaterPond]

yes, thats what i meant, sorry for the confusion. I will uproot them right now.

 

[7Enigma]

yes, thats what i meant, sorry for the confusion. I will uproot them right now.

Then once they get larger (5-7") or if they start to yellow/translucent you can "plant" them again.

 

[WaterPond]

ok, will do. Thanks for all of your help. I'm actually excited to go get some new plants

 

[WaterPond]

got some, picture soon to come