Fw planted tank care

[GHOSTLY]

New problem has emerged. My dwarf hair grass. Some leaves are turning yellow. Schedule here
Chiheros a401 Max intensity 14h
Misting 2 to 3 times a day
Why could they be turning yellow? Burning? Too much water? Should I poke a hole in the lid?

I just drained a bit of the puddle, turned my photo period down, and lowered intensity by 20%. Should I have?

 

[afrokobe]

What tds should I aim for

150 is a good mark, although you can get them accliminated to more extremes. Range is about 90-180. I think GH is more important if you can measure it (4-6)

New problem has emerged. My dwarf hair grass. Some leaves are turning yellow. Schedule here
Chiheros a401 Max intensity 14h
Misting 2 to 3 times a day
Why could they be turning yellow? Burning? Too much water? Should I poke a hole in the lid?

I just drained a bit of the puddle, turned my photo period down, and lowered intensity by 20%. Should I have?

yup, that photo period is way too long and your intensity is probably way too high. I would do 8 hour photo period or less. leave intensity where you have it and see if it continues to burn. Are you using tissue culture, emersed plants, or immersed plants?

 

[GHOSTLY]

150 is a good mark, although you can get them accliminated to more extremes. Range is about 90-180. I think GH is more important if you can measure it (4-6)



yup, that photo period is way too long and your intensity is probably way too high. I would do 8 hour photo period or less. leave intensity where you have it and see if it continues to burn. Are you using tissue culture, emersed plants, or immersed plants?

1 2 gro cups. Just turned down the intensity and photo period to 8.5 hours and 80% intensity. Is it ok if in some areas its wetter? As long as its humid right

 

[minorhero]

Dry starts are super useful for low tech tanks allowing you to establish a carpet when it otherwise wouldn't be possible. If planning to run co2 anyway it has less utility. If plants start yellowing or growing mold it might be time to flood. They could be yellowing from a variety of reasons including, transition stress, damage when planting, drying out too much, or not enough fertilizer. Since this looks to be an aquasoil type substrate this last is not likely.

Speaking of. With any aqua soil type substrate, you need to be doing a lot of water changes when it is new. So if you flood, you should be doing a 50% water change everyday for the first week. Every other day for the second week. Every 3 days in week 3. And twice in week 4. Thereafter once a week. This will help manage the massive amount of nutrients aqua soil type substrates leech in the first few weeks.

 

[GHOSTLY]

Dry starts are super useful for low tech tanks allowing you to establish a carpet when it otherwise wouldn't be possible. If planning to run co2 anyway it has less utility. If plants start yellowing or growing mold it might be time to flood. They could be yellowing from a variety of reasons including, transition stress, damage when planting, drying out too much, or not enough fertilizer. Since this looks to be an aquasoil type substrate this last is not likely.

Speaking of. With any aqua soil type substrate, you need to be doing a lot of water changes when it is new. So if you flood, you should be doing a 50% water change everyday for the first week. Every other day for the second week. Every 3 days in week 3. And twice in week 4. Thereafter once a week. This will help manage the massive amount of nutrients aqua soil type substrates leech in the first few weeks.

I'm aware. But I just put them in 3 days ago. I shouldn't be expecting too much die off, righr?

 

[minorhero]

I'm aware. But I just put them in 3 days ago. I shouldn't be expecting too much die off, righr?

If they get too dry you could loose everything within a few hours. They are aquatic plants, if they are not submerged they need high humidity. Or parts were just damaged during planting.

 

[GHOSTLY]

If they get too dry you could loose everything within a few hours. They are aquatic plants, if they are not submerged they need high humidity. Or parts were just damaged during planting.

So if they're alive for more than a couple days it should be humid enough right

 

[minorhero]

So if they're alive for more than a couple days it should be humid enough right

Yes, if they are alive they should have enough humidity. But keep monitoring it as it can change. I've done dry starts a few times and they can be fun, but they can also suck if you lose substantial amount of plant mass, so just keep a close eye on it.

 

[GHOSTLY]

Yes, if they are alive they should have enough humidity. But keep monitoring it as it can change. I've done dry starts a few times and they can be fun, but they can also suck if you lose substantial amount of plant mass, so just keep a close eye on it.

Althernanthia could be dry started right? Because I'm doing co2 my plants right now in the tank is repens, eleocharis A mini, and some althwrnanrhia mini. Are you aware of any plants that can grow on the back wall like mosses?

 

[afrokobe]

Althernanthia could be dry started right? Because I'm doing co2 my plants right now in the tank is repens, eleocharis A mini, and some althwrnanrhia mini. Are you aware of any plants that can grow on the back wall like mosses?

nothing like coral where it will encrust onto the glass. Even with moss on the backwall, you will need to attach them to some kind of mesh then secure the mesh to the backwall. As the moss grows out, you will need to trim the moss or it will just eventually lift off. Moss is a pain in the butt tbh.

 

[GHOSTLY]

nothing like coral where it will encrust onto the glass. Even with moss on the backwall, you will need to attach them to some kind of mesh then secure the mesh to the backwall. As the moss grows out, you will need to trim the moss or it will just eventually lift off. Moss is a pain in the butt tbh.

That gets me wondering now. What should I do if mild shows up?

 

[afrokobe]

That gets me wondering now. What should I do if mild shows up?

make sure you are letting some gas exchange each day and make sure your not pooling up water. That should help keep the mold at bay.

 

[GHOSTLY]

make sure you are letting some gas exchange each day and make sure your not pooling up water. That should help keep the mold at bay.

The very front is pooling up maybe half a centimeter. Is a tiny bit like that ok or should I suck it out

 

[GHOSTLY]

The very front is pooling up maybe half a centimeter. Is a tiny bit like that ok or should I suck it out

Bump

Also is a tiny bit of die off ok? I see maybe 4 yellowing leaves within the first week

 

[GHOSTLY]

Bump

Also is a tiny bit of die off ok? I see maybe 4 yellowing leaves within the first week

Bump

 

[afrokobe]

Bump

Also is a tiny bit of die off ok? I see maybe 4 yellowing leaves within the first week

I would just keep monitoring. I was never patient enough for dry starts.

 

[GHOSTLY]

I would just keep monitoring. I was never patient enough for dry starts.

What are the key signs its failing?

 

[afrokobe]

What are the key signs its failing?

either leaves are getting too crisp and being burnt or if everything is looking mush and melting. Obviously if things get too past a certain point, you probably are at a point of no return.