This site is supported by the advertisements on it, please disable your AdBlocker so we can continue to provide you with the quality content you expect.
  1. We are after as many aquarium plant images that we can get, doing so will assist us in completing the aquarium plant database.

    https://barrreport.com/threads/aquatic-plant-images-wanted.14374/
    Dismiss Notice

Water types: Soft vs. hard & "soft water "plant

Discussion in 'Advanced Strategies and Fertilization' started by DavidR, May 9, 2005.

  1. DavidR

    DavidR Prolific Poster

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2005
    Messages:
    38
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    5:20 AM
    I've been growing plants for some time with great results, but I've had trouble with a few. These plants have been labeled as "soft water" plants that grow best in "low conductivity" waters. Some examples are Blyxa japonica, Rotalla macranda, etc. I've had trouble with both of these plants, while others grow well.

    My question is more specific than general, as I know the vast majority of plants grow very well in a wide range of water hardness. I'd like to focus more on these plants, and others like Tonina, L. Pantanal, etc., as they have been deemed to grow best in "soft" water. I've moderately hard water (KH 12, GH 18), and I've love to grow some other plants.

    Do these few plants really need "soft" water? My latest ongoing experiment of about 9 months is with R. macranda. I am barely sustaining this plant. I'm down to 1 stem with a side shoot, and it looks nothing like it should; it's spindly as can be, but it is blood red. I know my nutrients are good since all my other plants are doing exceptionally well (that's the EI for ya!), and my lighting is adequate (3.4 wpg PC). I tried blyxa as well, but it just looked miserable even though it did grow a little. I really like some others, but I'm afraid to try them.

    What's the deal with these certain plants? I want to grow them; what does it take? Is water hardness to blame? :confused:
     
    #1 DavidR, May 9, 2005
  2. baruch mor

    baruch mor Prolific Poster

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2005
    Messages:
    30
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    5:20 AM
    Re: Water types: Soft vs. hard & "soft water "plant

    toninas n l pantanal grow best in soft water and acidic substrate such as aquasoil - couldnt grow them in another setups...
    r. macrandra n blixa japonica are growing well even in hard water if u give then enough light and co2 and good amounts of ferts.
     
    #2 baruch mor, May 10, 2005
  3. Paul

    Paul Guru Class Expert

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2005
    Messages:
    169
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    5:20 AM
    Re: Water types: Soft vs. hard & "soft water "plant

    Cabomba doesnt like hard water I dont think - mine literally fell apart :mad:
     
    #3 Paul, May 11, 2005
  4. Tom Barr

    Tom Barr Founder
    Staff Member Administrator

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2005
    Messages:
    18,694
    Likes Received:
    728
    Local Time:
    5:20 AM
    Re: Water types: Soft vs. hard & "soft water "plant

    I've done well with all of these in harder water, R macrandra will certainl;y do better in softer water, perhas a couple of others, but most don't care.

    If Tonia has to have ADA aqua soil etc, why does mine grow 2-3 inches every week(both species) in moderate tap (KH3 GH 5) and Onyx sand?
    Unlike doing better like the Rotala, it does well in both cases.

    Regards,
    Tom Barr
     
    #4 Tom Barr, May 11, 2005
  5. baruch mor

    baruch mor Prolific Poster

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2005
    Messages:
    30
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    5:20 AM
    Re: Water types: Soft vs. hard & "soft water "plant

    dont know what to tell u tom, but certainly there are a few water parameters that we can never test - maybe they r the answer. i have more then 6 planted tanks - all of them with plants that considered difficult n very difficult - sometime when a plant dont look good i transfer it to another tank and it starts to bloom , and vice versa...
    from my experience - toninas, r. wallichi, eriocaulons, r. fussila and a few more plants dont look good in hard water
     
    #5 baruch mor, May 16, 2005
  6. andrewmcleod

    andrewmcleod Junior Poster

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2005
    Messages:
    10
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    5:20 AM
    Re: Water types: Soft vs. hard & "soft water "plant

    I very much doubt there is anything Tom can't get tested - not even true KH, which probably no hobbyist has ever measured ;) (since all kits measure alkalinity)...
     
    #6 andrewmcleod, May 16, 2005
  7. baruch mor

    baruch mor Prolific Poster

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2005
    Messages:
    30
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    5:20 AM
    Re: Water types: Soft vs. hard & "soft water "plant

    its not that, what i mean is that even if yo place two simmilar setups with the same light, substrate, plants and plants arrengment , ferts etc. u can c usualy different growth, different colors etc.
     
    #7 baruch mor, May 16, 2005
  8. andrewmcleod

    andrewmcleod Junior Poster

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2005
    Messages:
    10
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    5:20 AM
    Re: Water types: Soft vs. hard & "soft water "plant

    True - but only to a limited extent.
    And that is not true of anything general - in other words, whether or not a plant will grow in hard water - either any given plants will (on average) grow better in hard water or not.
     
    #8 andrewmcleod, May 16, 2005
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Loading...
Similar Threads - Water types Soft
  1. MythT

    What types of fish for my tap water?

    MythT, Feb 23, 2008, in forum: Fish for Planted Tanks
    Replies:
    2
    Views:
    287
    MythT
    Feb 24, 2008
  2. Plant tormentor

    Water Wisteria (hygrophila Difformis) Toxicity?

    Plant tormentor, Jan 5, 2021, in forum: General Plant Topics
    Replies:
    4
    Views:
    141
    Chris Noto
    Jan 17, 2021 at 11:02 PM
  3. Tim999

    Water Temp For New Plant Setup

    Tim999, Dec 14, 2020, in forum: Are you new to aquatic plants? Start here
    Replies:
    1
    Views:
    186
    Kristy Jackson
    Jan 6, 2021
  4. nanomania

    Fe Dtpa 10% Water Solubility To Make Solution Confusion.

    nanomania, Dec 4, 2020, in forum: Aquatic Plant Fertilization
    Replies:
    1
    Views:
    211
    Zeus
    Dec 6, 2020
  5. MoreliaViridis

    Mg Deficiency With Super Soft Water?

    MoreliaViridis, Oct 1, 2020, in forum: Aquatic Plant Fertilization
    Replies:
    1
    Views:
    254
    Pauld738
    Oct 7, 2020

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...
    Dismiss Notice