Tank Stats

2.8 watts per gallon. 28 watts of 6500k "daylight" compact flourescent bulbs. On for 8 hours. Lowering to maybe 6. Should I?

A half dose of PlantGro Iron Enriched fertilizer every week after a water change. Will dose Excel once I get it.

Amazon Swords, Java Moss, Anacharis, Hornwort

Questions

I am planning to get Anubias nana 'petite', Marsilea Quadrifolia Fourleaf Clover, Marimo Balls, Anubias minima, and Cryptocoryne moehlmannii.

Does anyone have any problems with these plants from aquabotanics? Will they thrive in my tank conditions?

Algae problem

I also have a Green Beard Algae (NOT CYANOBACTERIA) and brown diatom algae problem. My water source has excess silicates so I can't help the diatom but I would like it if it just didn't grow on my Amazon Swords. The GBA is on the gravel and Java Moss and would love it off both. Can dosing Excel help with the algae problems? Should I stop using the fert?

Thank you to those who read and reply. Please post some advice and opinions.

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If life gives you lemons, squeeze them into people's eyes and run away!

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If life gives you lemons, squeeze them into people's eyes and run away!

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Now, with 2.8 watts per gallon, you will likely see a bit higher stems as the plant has to grow more to get the same amount of lighting to its leaves.  But don't expect the plant to stay a) tall with the long stems displayed in the pictures and b) in one defined bunch.  Marsilea propagates via runners.  It will send out little stems that will grow a new frond or two after about an inch, then keep growing, adding roots along the way. 

My marsilea took a day or two to adjust to its new conditions and begin growing.  For the first few days, it was still in "long stem mode", growing 5-6 inch stems with very large "clover tops."  However, within four days or so, it adapted to submersed life and the stem length began to decrease.  In addition, the fronds that were grown emersed will die relatively quickly after planting in your tank - they aren't adapted to underwater life and will decay to make way for new, truly aquatic growth.  At this point, the length of the stems and the size of the clover fronds will decrease. 

In addition, immersed plants do not always keep the four-leaf form.  Marsilea can grow in a one-leaf form which is still quite attractive; they look like little spoons about a quarter-inch in diameter.  My plants develop a mix of one, two, three, and four-leaf tops.  None of the fronds are as large as the emersed form fronds are.  (btw, I call them fronds because this plant is actually a fern, not a true clover.)  Submersed four-leaf fronds in my tank are quite small, rarely over half an inch in diameter.

Watch out for the stems on this plant.  If the stem is damaged, the frond will decay upwards of the injury.  Marsilea stems are also quite brittle and are easily injured by basic pruning and more so by planting.  When you notice brown areas at any point on the stem, cut the frond off with small scissors as close as possible to the base.  Damaged stems do not seem to heal and cut stems do not regenerate.  However, the plant is fast-growing under good conditions and will quickly send out new fronds to compensate for the loss. 

Hope this helps.  I love my marsilea, and I hope you have the best of luck with it if you decide to get it.

If life gives you lemons, squeeze them into people's eyes and run away!

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