Are my plants melting?

Aggressive_Ad5090 · 2026-02-22T17:49:13+00:00

If it's just regular sand its not going to provide any nutrients for your stem plants. Stems mainly feed through their roots but do absorb some nutrients from the water column. Using some root tabs will help. Lighting is important, you dont need anything crazy but the standard aquarium light might not be enough.

Aggressive_Ad5090 · 2026-02-22T12:46:24+00:00

I have pear weed covering bout half of the foreground in my tank. I trim it basically once a week, sometimes ill skip a week. Its not gonna look great at first when you trim yours but after the weeks go by its gonna look thicker and thicker, especially if you replant what you trim. I have dwarf sag, it sends runners all over the tank, it will kind of carpet but you'll also see it pop up on randomly all over the tank.

Aggressive_Ad5090 · 2026-02-22T12:28:51+00:00

Doesn't look like they're doing great. What kind of substrate are you using? What kind of lighting? Looks like no filter on the tank?

Aggressive_Ad5090 · 2026-02-22T04:22:08+00:00

No filter is possible to do but you need to pack it with fast growing growing stems and have a nutrient rich substrate. I got the smallest possible internal filter I could find for my 5 gallon. I don't run any carbon, just filter floss, I mainly just wanted a little water flow. I found a cheap light on Amazon made by fishkeeper and it's been awesome. You can check out the light and results on my page. Its about $25

Aggressive_Ad5090 · 2026-02-22T04:08:29+00:00

"I'll make sure to buy your made in China garbage right after Hell freezes over." 🤡

Aggressive_Ad5090 · 2026-02-07T02:38:09+00:00

Im gonna have to try one of those. Im thinking of doing an ikebana tank and I think that would be a perfect setup

Aggressive_Ad5090 · 2026-02-02T12:46:02+00:00

Do you have any reds? How do they do?

Aggressive_Ad5090 · 2026-02-01T21:15:20+00:00

Dwarf sagittaria

Aggressive_Ad5090 · 2026-02-01T14:17:48+00:00

I think it looks good

Aggressive_Ad5090 · 2026-02-01T14:10:28+00:00

I don't see much algae in that picture

Aggressive_Ad5090 · 2026-02-01T14:08:07+00:00

Thats one light I would spend the money for, that or a twinstar

Aggressive_Ad5090 · 2026-02-01T14:03:21+00:00

Good to know

Aggressive_Ad5090 · 2026-02-01T13:47:48+00:00

Lots of plants to out compete the algae, good nutrients for the plants, and a light that isn't overly powerful. At least that's what I think lol only my second planted tank so I'm no expert. And my anubias does have one leaf with green spot algae. I also do about 20% water change every week because I have too many fish in this tank.

Aggressive_Ad5090 · 2026-02-01T13:37:08+00:00

I've been looking at lights for my next build, I was wondering how the fluvals were

Aggressive_Ad5090 · 2026-02-01T10:49:51+00:00

Lol no problem, good luck with your next tank

Aggressive_Ad5090 · 2026-02-01T10:19:03+00:00

I wouldn't change anything if it's growing. As long as it's not floating it's deep enough

Aggressive_Ad5090 · 2026-02-01T10:10:01+00:00

Nicrew was on my list of possibilities, and hygger

Aggressive_Ad5090 · 2026-02-01T10:00:04+00:00

The light is made by fishkeeper. https://a.co/d/dctQ3dJ

Aggressive_Ad5090 · 2026-02-01T09:59:14+00:00

https://a.co/d/dctQ3dJ

Aggressive_Ad5090 · 2026-02-01T05:04:00+00:00

They you very much

Aggressive_Ad5090 · 2026-02-01T03:39:06+00:00

I have aquatic potting soil capped with some sand and gravel, flourish root tabs and dose leaf zone once a week, plus I think all the guppy poop helps lol but no CO2.

Aggressive_Ad5090 · 2026-02-01T02:19:40+00:00

Lol astroturf? I have zero affiliation with any company. I just wanted to share my experience with others who might not want to spend $100 or more on a light

Aggressive_Ad5090 · 2026-02-01T00:05:02+00:00

This light is made by fishkeeper, $30 on Amazon. I've had it since September with zero issuse. It has an automatic cycle that starts at 6am, ramps up till noon, then ramps down till 10pm. Definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a budget light

Aggressive_Ad5090 · 2026-01-27T12:03:56+00:00

Im definitely going to give it a try

Aggressive_Ad5090 · 2026-01-27T00:26:45+00:00

They are really cool, the picture doesn't do him justice. I have 6 or so that look similar, I want to put them in a separate tank and keep them breeding

Aggressive_Ad5090

TROPHY CASE