anacharis as an nutrient indicator?

kilroy_87

Junior Poster
Feb 28, 2009
8
0
1
nevada city, nor cal.
ok so ive been using some anacharis sinceit grows fast and is a simple plant as an indicator for macro and trace deficienttcy's. so far it seems to be working well but id like others opinions what do you think?
ive got: amazon sword

rotala magenta

micro sword

onion plant

cabomba carolinia

jungle val and cork val

and anacharis (which grows 2-3 times as fast as the rest of my plants)

thanks
 

Gerryd

Plant Guru Team
Lifetime Member
Sep 23, 2007
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South Florida
Hi,

I think maybe you want a more difficult plant as your indicator plant, no?

IMO if anacharis is considered 'easy' to grow, and many folks have it in their tanks with no ferts or c02 other than what the fish provide, I would think it is NOT a good indicator plant. This is considered a pest in some waterways.......

For example Riccia is a good indicator of good c02 if it pearls/grows well.

If any plant in your list is not doing well, I would say that is a sign of something wrong.......they all should grow relatively well.....

Are you dosing EI? If not, note that EI is designed so that nutirent deficiencies are eliminated.

The bigger concern for plants is c02.

Tank details, light, dosing, c02, etc?
 

Tom Barr

Founder
Staff member
Administrator
Jan 23, 2005
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Agree, the plant is the easiest plant, you want a canary so to speak, not the Cocker roach:)

It will do well in poor CO2, poor nutrients etc.
Other plants will not.

Regards,
Tom Barr
 

Tom Barr

Founder
Staff member
Administrator
Jan 23, 2005
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You'll want KH2PO4 also(assuming you use CO2).

Regards,
Tom Barr