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Plant ID: what is it and what makes it happy?

833 views 3 replies 2 participants last post by  RussellTheShihTzu 
#1 ·
Rescued these little guys from a friends tank that collapsed; was surprised to find life under a lot of dead foliage. They've been floating in a one-gal bubble tank for a few weeks now with a smattering of ambient sunlight, and have already improved in color significantly, and seem to have some new foliage growth as well.

Question is, what are they? My experience with aquatic plants is nil, but do know some plants like buried roots, some don't.... So which is this?

Is there a rule-of-thumb to identify plants that have certain growth requirements? (I.e. "All/most plants with [characteristic X] are [some sort of term to describe them, if applicable] and thus need/prefer [specific environment/care]" ex: "Most plants with fleshy leaves are succulents, so prefer hot climates and are tolerant of low rainfall conditions, though many varieties grow best in high humidity"

Thanks!!
 

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#3 ·
Thanks Russel, that's exactly what I needed to know!

Follow up question, now that I know what it's called, I've done some reading and it seems the preferred pH level is 6-7. My source water is 8.2 pH, and I'm not currently treating to modify pH levels - will the Java Fern be ok, or should I be dosing to lower the pH?

And how the heck does one determine "low light" - is there some sort of chart with lumens/candles output to define what "low" vs "high" is?

Sorry for all the questions, new to aquatic plants!
 
#4 ·
I've had Java Fern do quite well in 8.0 pH so I'm not the one to answer if it won't. ;-)

I know nothing technical about lights. I read descriptions and if it's low-to-medium light I go for it. I don't use CO2; just ferts in the substrate. At the company's advice I run Finnex Stingray on all of my tanks. I sent Finnex a list of my plants and the distance between substrate and tank rim and that's what they advised. I really, really wanted the Planted+ but they advised against it since all but one I my tanks is over 12" high and I don't have plants requiring that much light.

I use these ferts:
RU TABS Root tabs aquarium fertilizer plant ferts substrate clay micro macro | eBay

And occasionally dose Seachem Flourish. I do not use Flourish Excel which is a carbon source. Although it is handy to have on hand to kill algae. :)

PS: Never mess with the pH. Critters and plants can become accustomed to a steady higher pH; when it fluctuates is when you get them in trouble.
 
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