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Plant Aid (and hello)
Hello, I've just signed up for this list and I'm afraid I need some
help:
A couple weeks ago I bought two beautiful aquarium plants, I
believe that they're Brazilian swords. They are potted in the
white cotton- like material. They have long thin stems that
end in large, flat broad leaves that are somewhat oval with
rounded ends. There's about 6-8 leaves per plant, one leaf
per stem. They're about 10" high and were in gorgeous shape when I
bought them.
Sadly, they are beginning to have patches that
are turning clear, as many of my plants have. The clear
patches eventually turn into holes.
I really want to save these guys, as they're the highlight of
my tank.
The tank:
The tank is heavyily planted. Besides the two
"Brazilian Swords" there are 3 medium
amazon swords (that are still alive, though they have
lost all their original foliage, the new leaves are
thinner and more elongated). Java moss which covers the
front of the floor of the tank, giant Vallisneria (sp?)
(about 8, along the back of the tank wall), java fern
(3 sprigs) that are on a piece of wood about 3" diameter
and 10" tall. There are also about 6-9 water sprite
floating on the surface.
I use iron suppliment (tetra florapride) (with pot ash)
and electrolite suppliment (from Jungle-"Plant
Saver") very infrequently (once every 1-1/2
months?).
About the same time (2 weeks) as I got the plants I
changed my florescent bulb (it a 24" bulb) from a
"plant" type light to a full scpectrum because I
thought my plants needed more light. It has
definitely increased in light intensity. Although I
haven't seen any increase in growth/change. Even the
vallisneria is breaking down.
There are 13 fish in the tank (25
gallon, full hood). There are 2 female bettas, 1
opaline gourami, 1 dwarf gourami, 2 "powder blue"
gouramis, 1 chinese algea eatter, 4 male bettas in
plastic boxes hanging on the inside of the tank, and 2
neon tetras.
There's a whisper2 outside filter, cartridge changed
about every 1-1/2 to 2 months. The ph is about 7.2. The
tank is about 8 months old. There haven't been
medications used in the tank for about 2 months. Water
changes about every 3 weeks. The light has been on an
automatic timer for about 5 or more months, set for 14
hours every day. The temperature is 82 degrees. I use
1 tablespoon of non-iodized salt per gallon of water
added to the aquarium (started this about 2 months
ago, before the new plants, but well after my
similar problems with the amazon and vallis.
When I first got the plants home I soaked them in a
salt solution of 3/4 tablesoon salt per gallon of
water. They soaked for about 5 minutes and then I
rinsed them.
People on the betta and aquarium lists have
suggested that this plant (I'm still not
sure that I have correctly identified
it) is a bog plant and does not like to be
underwater. Is this true? It is limp
when I take it out of the water. But
I've had this kind of problem with the
other plants in the tank, amazon sword and the
vallis. especially. They "melt" almost, areas turn
yellow then brownish clear and then there's a hole and
the leaf keeps degrading. The stems on the new plants
(brazilian swords?) still seem green and unaffected and
go last.
I have some experience with house and garden plants, but
I'm obviously in a somewhat different area. I need
help.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Anne