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Really, the only thing I know about native plants


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#1 Guest_Skipjack_*

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Posted 23 August 2006 - 06:15 PM

is that they cannot survive in my tanks.

But I do have A great location to collect ceratophyllum. Did I spell that right? Anyway keep it in mind.

#2 Guest_nativeplanter_*

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Posted 24 August 2006 - 09:14 AM

Hi Skipjack,

I bet there are a few people on the board who can help you get your plants to fare better. Wild plants, I have found, are pickier in their requirements than store-bought plants. Store-bought plants have, over time, been selected for the ones that survive better in the average aquarium, with lower light, aquarium gravel, and so forth. Additionally, depending on what you are trying to keep, your aquarium may be too warm.

So, for starters, why don't you tell us about your tank. Everything you can think of, from size, gravel, filters, light, fish, and anything else that comes to mind. You'd be surprised how some aspects of the tank can have a large importance.

#3 Guest_Skipjack_*

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Posted 25 August 2006 - 09:42 PM

Hi Skipjack,

I bet there are a few people on the board who can help you get your plants to fare better.  Wild plants, I have found, are pickier in their requirements than store-bought plants.  Store-bought plants have, over time, been selected for the ones that survive better in the average aquarium, with lower light, aquarium gravel, and so forth.  Additionally, depending on what you are trying to keep, your aquarium may be too warm.

So, for starters, why don't you tell us about your tank.  Everything you can think of, from size, gravel, filters, light, fish, and anything else that comes to mind.  You'd be surprised how some aspects of the tank can have a large importance.

Thanks Native planter, I have 14 native tanks. Temps are not an issue. Upper 60's low 70's. Lighting is! I am cheap, and use shoplights. I would like to grow better plants, but not at any real expense. I will get with you soon as I am planning to make a few changes, one tank at a time. Also like I mentioned I have Hornwort! Lots! need it PM me. Matt

#4 Guest_nativeplanter_*

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Posted 26 August 2006 - 02:29 PM

Okey doke, let me know when you're ready to start. We can certainly keep your costs down. First step - don't buy anything marketed specifically for aquatic plants!!! There are much more affordable solution down at the hardware store. And don't throw away the shop lights yet. We might need them.

#5 Guest_Histrix_*

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Posted 26 August 2006 - 08:20 PM

What do you have in the way of substrate, Matt? Are you using any fertilizers?

#6 Guest_Mysteryman_*

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Posted 27 September 2006 - 12:42 PM

I'll just throw this out there, in case it's useful.

I also have had problems with native plants when it comes to lighting, but I figured out something long ago that helped a lot.

Plants collected in clear water or along the shoreline or in very shallow water will usually need a lot more light than those collected in deeper, murkier water. Sounds obvious enough, but it's easy to forget. I have a bunch of tanks with various equipment on them, and I've found that the plants which got more light in the wild will do a lot better in the tanks with the better lights, while the plants from dark areas do better in the darker tanks.

After propagating them for awhile you can train them to survive anywhere, or nearly so.




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