Re: Anubias

To: aquatic-plants at actwin_com
Subject: Re: Anubias
From: mtn at delarue_demon.co.uk
Date: Thu, 22 Aug 96 14:12:34 GMT
> From: krandall at world_std.com (Karen A Randall)
> Date: Wed, 21 Aug 1996 10:46:05 -0400
> Subject: Anubias Rotting 

>      PROBLEMS: <snip> ... Anubias rhizomes are rotting. etc..
>               
>      ASIDE: <snip>... most of my duckweed has disappeared ....

> Bells went off when you mentioned the Duckweed disappearing.  Have
> you measured your nitrate level?  I find that in my tanks if all 
> the Duckweed and/or Salvinia goes away, that my tank has become 
> nitrogen starved.  Is it possible that this is what's happening in 
> your tank?

That's exactly what I thought also. Normally I have a thick carpet of Duckweed 
which I have to harvest at every weekly water change. When it started thinning I
thought I must really be getting on top of nitrates, however test results showed
little change (I can't remember the figures but I'll be doing a test tonight). I
also replaced the tritons in case that was the factor. I have a fairly heavy 
fish load for a plant tank so nitrates are usually higher than I would like. 

>> In my experience, only A. b. nana really does well submerged. 
>> A.congensis is one of the least adaptable. Even A.b barteri
>> only to do well for a few months. 

> I grow A. b. var.. nana, A. b. var.. barteri, A.b. var.. 
> angustifolia, A. b. var.. caladiifolia, A. 'Coffeefolia, A. 
> gracilis, A. afzelli and A. heterophylla (syn. A. congensis) 
> permanently submerged in my tanks.  I have had all specimens 
> except for A. gracilis for 5+ years.  Not only do they grow well, 
> but all the A. barteri varieties bloom regularly, and the A. 
> heterophylla has bloomed twice in that period.....

Could you possibly list your conditions for healthy Anubias. I used to think my 
water was Anubias-Friendly until this rot set in but I would consider tinkering 
to improve conditions. At the moment I see this as an inconvenience and not a 
fatal state, so I am carrying on as normal except for more trimming and I'll see
what develops.   Thanks for your help.

Mick