Hornwort And Java Moss Advice

During my reseach I was led to believe that hornwort and java moss were one of the best starter plants. They required little care, and they would quickly outgrow my aquarium.

Unfortunately, it seems these two plants are failing in my aquarium. They are exactly how I got them, they don't grow and propagate.

What should I do? I don't want to get advanced plants that require nutrients in the substrate If I can't take care of these simple plants.

 

these plants require very little substrate. My java moss wasn't dying but wasn't getting green or growing either after about 2 weeks. I began to add the easy green pump water fertilizer and is now a vivid green. I noted after about 1 week it was looking greener. These plants while low maintenance, still need some nutrients free floating in the water. There are many plant ferts too, just take a look at the varieties and types

 

A couple questions: How long has it been since you added them? What kind of substrate are you using? Are you using any type of fertilizer or root tabs?

 

A couple questions: How long has it been since you added them? What kind of substrate are you using? Are you using any type of fertilizer or root tabs?

I had java moss for about two months, and hornwort a little over a month.

I don't have any special substrate, I use non fertile gravel. I am not using any type of fertilizer or root tabs.

these plants require very little substrate. My java moss wasn't dying but wasn't getting green or growing either after about 2 weeks. I began to add the easy green pump water fertilizer and is now a vivid green. I noted after about 1 week it was looking greener. These plants while low maintenance, still need some nutrients free floating in the water. There are many plant ferts too, just take a look at the varieties and types

When cleaning floating parts of plants I feel like the java moss is growing because I have taken out a lot of undesired floating moss but still my moss attacked to wood is still the same size. So in a way they are growing, but probably dying at the same rate.

I thought fish food remains and fecal would be enough source of nutrients for the plants.

I will take a look at some ferts options and try that out.

During my reseach I was led to believe that hornwort and java moss were one of the best starter plants. They required little care, and they would quickly outgrow my aquarium.

Unfortunately, it seems these two plants are failing in my aquarium. They are exactly how I got them, they don't grow and propagate.

What should I do? I don't want to get advanced plants that require nutrients in the substrate If I can't take care of these simple plants.

I forgot to mention,
I have anacharis narrow leaf as well.
This is definitely dying out. At some point in the last 2 monts it had grown 2 new plants, unfortunately the original big plant is dead, I have remained with the small plants. I have put them in a fry container because I don't want them to get sucked by the filter.

 

I forgot to mention, View attachment 473607I have anacharis narrow leaf as well.
This is definitely dying out. At some point in the last 2 monts it had grown 2 new plants, unfortunately the original big plant is dead, I have remained with the small plants. I have put them in a fry container because I don't want them to get sucked by the filter.

Sometimes these plants are grown out of water. The original plant may die but if tiny green sprouts are coming up from the root, then the plant is viable and will grow back up in a few months

 

Maybe try upping your lights?

 

I thought remains and fecal would be enough source of nutrients for the plants.

Those can supply ammonia (a source of nitrogen) and phosphate (a source of phosphorus). But most other nutrients (potassium and iron namely) are in too little concentration in potable water to assure good plant growth.

It's best to buy a comprehensive all-in-one fert: something like supplies all macronutrients and micronutrients in an appropriate concentration. I'd recommend NilocG Thrive. If your tank is only light planted and does not inject CO2, I'd recommended 1/2 of the recommended dose (1 pump per 20 gallons instead of 1 pump per 10 gallons) once a week (rather than 2-3 times a week).

I don't especially recommend FlorinMulti, Aquarium Co-Op Easy Green, EasyLife Profito (and others such as these) mostly because they tend to have very little nitrogen and phosphorus, and they're incredibly dilute to the point that you're paying mostly for water. NilocG Thrive is quite concentrated, so it's more bang for your buck.

 

It could be your tap is low in iron or something.. I’ve never needed to add ferts to mine and they are taking over my tank. My spouse keeps a tank in a different room and they always die... only difference I can figure out is room lighting. They both have cheap led strips but one is in a bright room. Every tank ecology/microbiome is different though. Don’t spot treat algae with peroxide in those tanks - I just made all my beautiful hornwort melt that way..

 

Those can supply ammonia (a source of nitrogen) and phosphate (a source of phosphorus). But most other nutrients (potassium and iron namely) are in too little concentration in potable water to assure good plant growth.

It's best to buy a comprehensive all-in-one fert: something like supplies all macronutrients and micronutrients in an appropriate concentration. I'd recommend NilocG Thrive. If your tank is only light planted and does not inject CO2, I'd recommended 1/2 of the recommended dose (1 pump per 20 gallons instead of 1 pump per 10 gallons) once a week (rather than 2-3 times a week).

I don't especially recommend FlorinMulti, Aquarium Co-Op Easy Green, EasyLife Profito (and others such as these) mostly because they tend to have very little nitrogen and phosphorus, and they're incredibly dilute to the point that you're paying mostly for water. NilocG Thrive is quite concentrated, so it's more bang for your buck.

I use flouish, but is theive / thrive + safe for shrimp ?
Thanks

 

Thrive is safe for shrimp.

I second the Thrive recommendation. Or NilocG macros and micros. Same basic product but you dose the macros one day, micros the next.

I have 6 tanks with hornwort. In the higher light ones I have to remove some every other week because they block the light for the rooted plants.

IME hornwort will grow with low light but for rapid growth and brilliant green you need moderate light. A glass top, 6500 light and light ferts and it’s a beautiful plant.

 

I use flouish, but is theive / thrive + safe for shrimp ?

Flourish (sometimes called Flourish Comprehensive to avoid confusion with all the other Flourish products) is a micro-fert, and it supplies next to no nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. (Note: it's not a bad product. I use it, but only as a micro fert.)

But yes, Thrive is safe for shrimp. There is ThriveS, which is advertised as a shrimp friendly fert. So far as I can tell, the only major difference between Thrive and ThriveS is that ThriveS doesn't have copper. While copper's toxicity to shrimps is well known, most of the available ferts used by aquarists contain nowhere near enough copper to cause any toxicity issues. It's also worthwhile pointing out that trace elements of copper are necessary for most biological functions in fish/inverts/plants.

I'd say save your money and buy Thrive.

 

Flourish (sometimes called Flourish Comprehensive to avoid confusion with all the other Flourish products) is a micro-fert, and it supplies next to no nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. (Note: it's not a bad product. I use it, but only as a micro fert.)

But yes, Thrive is safe for shrimp. There is ThriveS, which is advertised as a shrimp friendly fert. So far as I can tell, the only major difference between Thrive and ThriveS is that ThriveS doesn't have copper. While copper's toxicity to shrimps is well known, most of the available ferts used by aquarists contain nowhere near enough copper to cause any toxicity issues. It's also worthwhile pointing out that trace elements of copper are necessary for most biological functions in fish/inverts/plants.

I'd say save your money and buy Thrive.

I think I will start using thrive.
As I believe I need iron for the plants I have.
Thanks