All my plants died....water test was fine.

[mattman0182]

I just can't keep plants alive in my tank. Had my water tested as I do weekly and nothing bad was found. The people at my LFS said it was probably because I need a light specifically designed for plants.

I am thinking i want to give up anyway and just go with fakes. But the fakes seem so hard and could harm the skin on my frog and upside down cat.

Should I try real ones again? Could the light be my problem?

or would fake ones be better?

 

[mgamer20o0]

what plants did you have? what lighting do you have?

 

[mattman0182]

4 of the sword plants were the last. I have had a few others...sadlyi 4got what they were called.

My light is an aquarium bulb I got from Lowes where I work.

 

[mgamer20o0]

what kind of bulb? how many watts? how long do you leave the lights on?

swords are not low light plants thats prob your problem.

 

[Peter_Aqua]

I am sure your light is the problem, plants are so fussy when it comes to growing well in an aquarium. Maybe have artificial plants mixed in with hardy live plants.
I doubt the artificial ones will harm your frog or catfish, anyway a thin layer of algae will smooth them out soon enough.

 

[meegosh]

I second the lighting answers. Although my swords are doing well in my 10g with 15w over it. I use root tabs and have playsand.

If you go fake you could always get silk plants if you are worried about them hurting your fish. They also appear more life-like since they move with the currents.

 

[portia]

What other plants have you tried? Any of the low light plants?

I was having trouble too (although, strangely, I can grow swords), and I got some java fern that I put into a crevice in my driftwood. It seems to be doing ok.

Also, some feathery tall stuff the name of which is escaping me that also seems to be doing well.

I have a small banana plant that looks like it's on the way out though.

 

[BigJim]

Lighting is probably the most important factor with plants. I've heard about 2 watts per gallon is a good starting point. I've got a 29g with an incandescent hood and I could only fit two 13w CFL bulbs in it, so I leave the lights on for about 14 hours and I add fertilizer. Some plants do ok. I've got a few Amazon swords and some other plants I got in an assorted plant bunch from Petco that are growing, but I also have a few plants that just seem to kinda melt away. I think it's the darker green the plant is, the less light it needs. Gotta be careful to actually get aquatic plants too. I couldn't believe how many of the plants in my local Petsmarts and Petcos are actually swamp plants that will survive underwater in ideal conditions, but they really won't flourish.