Cabomba

[Mez]

Hello
I just got a load of cabomba for my 3' tank.
Current Fish in tank:
Spiny Eel (1)
Male Apistogramma caca. (1)
Blue Ram (1)
Synodontis Eupterus (1)
Flying Fox (1)
Butterfly fish (1)
And some African Dwarf Frog Babies (for the eel)

I have no base fert, no special lighting or anything. its about 1.5 watts per gallon. What i want to know is, will the cabomba survive? ive had it in my 2ft tank before and its done ok - and that has 1 watt per gallon. Would some liquid fert. be a good addition?
Thanks,
Mez

[juggler]

Cabomba is an easy plant with sufficient lighting. Once it gets established, it flourishes. Most importantly is not to disturb it after planting. If I were you I rather use root fertilisation than liquid -- maybe put some Root Monsters or those Jobe plant sticks.

Good luck.

[Mez]

Hello
I was kinda hoping it was jacian who replied, heh..
Anyway, thanks for replieng. "Root Monsters"? what are these?
Would Liquid fert work? because my bottom feeders dig, and i have a sand substrate, id rather avoid using plant stick things if you need them near the plants...
Thanks for the help,
Mez

[sherchoo]

For Cabomba, I wouldn't worry too much cos they are quite undemanding plant.

[richy]

Once established, it will grow pretty quickly. You will have to prune them every week.

On the side note, I notice that most of my stem plants close their leaves in the evening around 8 pm, even the tank lights are still on. Is that a biological clock that trigger this sympton? Will the light duration affects this behaviour?

[sherchoo]

Normally the plants biological clock depends on the lighting source.

Quite strange that you have plant leaves actually closing up. I know that plants do that to accomodate respiration beneath the leaves but why do aquatic plants do that for? What plant is that anyway?

[bclee]

Cabomba sucks nutrients primarily from water more than roots.

Some liq. fert will do. Grow very fast. After a while, you may get tired of trimming them.

BC

[richy]

Hi Sherchoo

It's Cabomba caroliniana & Rotala wallichii. I noticed that in the morning, the fine leaves will open and spread out horizontally. It gives the nice impression of a blooming healthy plant. However, in the evening, the fine leaves will clamp together as if they are closed.

This is especially obvious when view from the top.

[hwchoy]

my red tiger lotus does that as well, but more synchronised with lights compared with Cambomba, which seem to time themselves regardless of the lights.

[Mez]

Hello
Ok i will get some liquid fert. Yes, my cabomba leaves close up too when the lights go out!
I wont get tired of them growing, coz i can spread them out into different tanks, and if they overgrow all those tanks, i can feed them to my veggie eaters
Mez

[MECH]

----------------
On 6/7/2002 10:25:00 AM

Root Monsters? what are these?

Mez
----------------

[BFG]

Hello Mez,
Cabomba is an easy plant 2 keep but watch out, it can cover the surface of the tank if u lapse the trimming. I always throw out some 2ft long stem/branches of it every 2 weeks. I like the darken effect when these plants cover my tank surfaces coz my green tetras looks better in the shadows.

[DEA]

cabomba is a PITA to maintain imo
they grow all over the place and crisscross whereever they can
if your tank is stable enough for r. wallichi it'd be a better choice

[BFG]

agree with u DEA. If ur riccia get tangled with the cabomba, lagi worse!!!