In need of moral support!

[sallyjano]

So a few weeks ago I took the plunge into going planted. Since then it's been non stop problems, most (or probably all) of which are due to my lack inexperience.

As it stands currently I don't have a single plant in my tank that doesn't have problems! My vals and micro swords melted (excel), my hygros leaves got eaten away with brown holes (lack of co2 I think), my star grass looks sad and spindly (probably light), my 2 java ferns went all black because I planted the rhizome (moved to wood now), my one anubia is going brown on the leaves, the other on the roots, my java moss has got grey fuzz on it and I am also seeing BBA or staghorn!!

Aaarrggh!!!!

I am not asking for help on these issues - just feeling the need to vent to people who may understand my frustration!

Please tell me this is normal for a rookie, that I'll figure it all out and it will start to go better????

 

[Mebbid]

It's quite normal. I killed a whole bunch of plants learning how to take care of them. Myrio filligree, cabomba, spiral vals, glossostigma, dwarf four leaf clover, dwarf hair grass, Bananna plant, water wisteria (managed to save 2 stems), and a few others I can't think of right now.

 

[azmodan]

It's normal. Also try to remember that the most important thing with planted tanks is patience, as not only do you need to painstakingly learn how to care for your plants but also you have to give them time to grow. Every sort of rewarding hobby is challenging in the beginning so just keep asking questions and we'll do our best to give you sound advice!

 

[Brookster123]

My first go around was a disaster too.. I've probably killed $100 worth of plants.. keep in mind that some plants will melt off something fierce only to come back with a vengeance.. be patient, tweaking photo period and ferts/Excel is key too in finding a good bablance.. patience is big here.. planted success rarely happens over night..

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[clarkm]

My first attempt at a planted tank was an algae nightmare. My tank was infested with bba. Research is the key. I have had a beautiful tank for 5 months now with no signs of algae.


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[Sk3lly]

Planted tanks are a balancing act between light, co2/liquid co2 and ferts.

Can be a nightmare finding the 'sweet spot' but once you get it right there is nothing more rewarding in this hobby


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[sallyjano]

Thanks everyone!! I appreciate the support. I will keep at it. I LOVE the beautiful, lush, algae free tanks you experienced folks post pics of and I hope one day I'll get there. Even though my planted tank is pretty sad in comparison I still love it and get super excited every time I see something new starting to grow. Who needs TV when you have a tank to stare at???

 

[emilygupps]

I'd rather kill plants than fish... So at least you're not killing your swimmers

I'm a rookie too and I'm battling algae! Gross right? It's EVERY where. We are in this together.

 

[sallyjano]

I'd rather kill plants than fish... So at least you're not killing your swimmers

I'm a rookie too and I'm battling algae! Gross right? It's EVERY where. We are in this together.

Yes very true! My fishies are all happy and healthy so that is good. I feel I have a good grip on keeping them healthy although I am about to add some rams which are super sensitive and need very specific care so we'll have to see how that goes.

Yes algae is annoying. I am going to buy hydrogen peroxide to start spot treating my BBA before it spreads. Does not sound like fun!

Anyway, thanks for the support. Yes we're in it together!! Good luck with your algae......let me know how it goes.

 

[emilygupps]

Sadly I've killed four balloon rams and two gbrs I have only a breeding pair left. Hope you have better luck than me!

We talked to a knowledgeable lfs guy who sold us some supplements we needed. So hopefully the algae will disappear.

 

[sallyjano]

Sadly I've killed four balloon rams and two gbrs I have only a breeding pair left. Hope you have better luck than me!

We talked to a knowledgeable lfs guy who sold us some supplements we needed. So hopefully the algae will disappear.

Ugk, sorry re the fish. I've not had a problem with fish since I the beginning, but then I've not tried sensitive fish like rams.

What supplement? Let me know how that goes. I've been doing a lot of research on what to do and getting advice from the experts on here and no one mentioned supplements. I hate to by cynical but I hope it's not a snake oil product.... I am reducing light and breaking photo period up with a 2 hour slot in the middle. I am dosing more excel and also going to spot treat with hydrogen peroxide. I always feed light so I think my problem was too much light and not enough co2. I also bought some otos which will help with the diatoms and green algae but my concern is the hairy stuff I have which I don't think they eat.

Anyways.....good to know a fellow rookie is in this with me! Let me know how the supplements work out for you!

 

[emilygupps]

These are all of our fish tank chemicals together. This high tech anted tank stuff is a lot more complicated than I thought.

 

[Mebbid]

These are all of our fish tank chemicals together. This high tech anted tank stuff is a lot more complicated than I thought.

That has to be the most convoluted selection of overpriced ferts I've ever seen. Mixing your own dry ferts requires 2 bottles dosed daily and $30 will last you a year or more.

 

[emilygupps]

We might do it our self eventually but we don't have time. The bf works 65 hours a week plus is growing brine shrimp and worms and some other green crap and I work 40 hours with a toddler three dogs (one who thinks my one year old is on the menu), and a cat. We have taken on five actual fish tanks plus a couple make shift misc. danio fry, brine shrimp at various stages tanks. We don't have time to make any more our own stuff. I'm sorry that you don't approve of our selections.

 

[Mebbid]

We might do it our self eventually but we don't have time. The bf works 65 hours a week plus is growing brine shrimp and worms and some other green crap and I work 40 hours with a toddler three dogs (one who thinks my one year old is on the menu), and a cat. We have taken on five actual fish tanks plus a couple make shift misc. danio fry, brine shrimp at various stages tanks. We don't have time to make any more our own stuff. I'm sorry that you don't approve of our selections.

It's the knowledgeable lfs guy that sold it to you that I don't approve of. Dry ferts are way more simple than people believe they are. You mix a measured amount of dry ferts in with a liter of water then you have a 200 day supply of fertilizers.

 

[emilygupps]

It's the knowledgeable lfs guy that sold it to you that I don't approve of. Dry ferts are way more simple than people believe they are. You mix a measured amount of dry ferts in with a liter of water then you have a 200 day supply of fertilizers.

Sorry I snapped at you. That was rude of me.

 

[Mebbid]

Sorry I snapped at you. That was rude of me.

No biggie, I should have worded my response differently. It's no less of a reaction than I should have expected.

 

[Coryluv]

You mentioned algae free tanks. There really is no such thing. There are algae managed tanks. A balanced tank will have some algae. Also most planted tanks employ one or more kind of algae eating fish or invert. I just hate to see you set an unrealistic goal for yourself. Almost no algae is possible. No algae is not.

One more thing, some plants do well for some and not for others. For me my Ludwigia repens does not thrive, while I have other plants that grow like crazy. Ludwigia is supposed to be really easy, too. I'm just now, after a year and some DIY CO2 getting some better results with my Ludwigia. So just understand that we all have challenges and plants that do better or worse.

 

[The boring name]

My first attempt went Medicore but being so young got quickly fed up, I tore the tanks plants out and just had artifical. A year later I got a 30 gal long tank with 4 setup HO lights and the plant went crazy, right now I'm shooting a planted 55 with banana plants water wisteria (I have to much!) and java fern, amazon sword, will be adding small carpet of java fern for my baby fry to hide away in. It just takes patience somtimes you'll have a lucky break through which are the best. If it don't work once stop think and upgrade and see how it works from there. You'll get there and be very pleased with the results that come with it!

 

[Coyne]

I feel your pain. It's been my experience that it's more difficult to keep plants alive and healthy than it is fish. It seems that even when I do get them established and growing, I suddenly have a breakout of BBA to deal with.
I think the constant learning and improving is what makes this a hobby for some, rather than just a whim.


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