trimming the trees

nyrmel · 05-19-2008, 10:12 AM

Ok Jay said I should start a new thread SOOOOOO..... I also have no issue to wet elbows the bubbles kinda tickle
Quote:
and I have seen mention of trimming how should I do this is it a matter of a clean pair of scissors and wet elbows?
"Yes. Plant care is a hands on sport.

" Jay
(cant figure out if I can quote a different thread or not so this is how this started)See Im thinking about planted if you need to know more about how my strange waterlogged mind got here

ok plant trimming
I got several plants online and from LFS and a couple had some really iffy leaves.
I cut the bad ones before putting them in the tank then went on trying to plant them. I noticed after a couple days some of the leaves I left on 2 of the plants are also not seeming to thrive (these leaves where soso when placed in tank) so I pulled out the plant and cut them away too. But once the plants really root it doesnt seem like that will be all that easy. So what should I use to trim them when taking them out of the water wont be so easy because they are established??? Do I need to find plant trimmers that are plastic so as not to induce any nasties when I will have to trim inside the water? I see the obvious that what ever I use will need to be just for the tank so that I dont bring in outside nasties. I figure that plastic scissors would be safest but cant seem to see anything in any stores about plant trimmers that are safe for the tank.
Next When should I trim plants is it just when a leaf turns ugly
and then does anyone here use a pinch off method to increase bushier growth. We use it in the garden and potted plants and even in a couple of the ones in the pond. But I could see it might lead to more material that has to be filtered so might not be a good idea. As tanks are much smaller and little mistakes make bigger issues faster. I will have more questions on the subject soon but have to get to work. (so I can make money to feed this addiction) thank is advance for the wise and witty advise I am sure to have on this I know FTF will not let me down.

Jay · 05-19-2008, 10:24 AM

I use a set of stainless steel scissors for in and out of tank pruning. They are dedicated for aquarium use, and I do rinse them before using them in another tank just to prevent cross contamination.

IME Most plants are not really as delicate as you would think. I uproot lots of plants, trim roots, trim off questionable leaves, etc. and replant without harming the plant. In fact, most seem to enjoy it. Remember a plant or leaves in decline put the plant and tank in jeopardy of an unwanted algae bloom, cloudy water etc.

Pinching off is a good technique, a fish net will help scoop out debris.

Jay

nyrmel · 05-19-2008, 02:08 PM

ok thanks I have lots more questions about plants but that handles the RIGHT NOW I have been using a net to grab debris my guppy seems to think it is a game how fast he can swim circles around the net handle no matter where I put it down in the tank (he is so cute I may name him skamp for how he skampers around the tank NON Stop)and will pick up a just for tank set of scissors today. any other thoughts or blaring things i havn't asked or mentioned that could spell out doom?????
Now next thing i would like to know, what can you tell me about lighting timers.......

I think I want to have day light during the day say 7-7but switch to a dimmer night setting for an hour or two before and after just for the fun of veiwing them. and then lights out at night so I can sleep (fish are in the bedroom) I saw a cool sounding diode light that claims it just screws into you hood for the night setting. but may consider getting a new hood (mine is already a couple weeks old and there for outdated right?) I don't think I got enough watts for my plants so I may just start with a combo system if I can find one. also any recomendations there would be nice. 20 gallon I think 23-24x11 Ifor got the measurements but I know that is close.

Jay · 05-19-2008, 04:09 PM

Again I counsel...use the search feature and begin to do some serious reading in the forum.

For example, 7-7 for light is way too much. A young, lightly planted tank cannot take that kind of light or we are going to be talking about "where did all this algae come from"

Jay

nyrmel · 05-19-2008, 05:47 PM

ok It just seemed like I keep seeing all these areas that say 12 hours of light. I have been reading in the forum and trying to take in as much info as I can I just tend the question alot of things, guess that can also get me in trouble. Sorry and thank you for your time to answer

E46er · 05-21-2008, 09:31 PM

my lights are timed from 130-930 not only are timers convienent they are constant not monday to friday the lights are on at 630 when you leave for work and weekends on at 930 or 10 when you wake up sort of thing. Every tank i ever have will have lights on a timer.. i dont know about a dimming type of timer but what you could do is when the lights on off turn on the light in the room so its ambient light.............until nighttime of course.
i actually just did my first major pruning (uproot and trim) and some plants really
root deeply i was quite surprised.

what lights do you currently have on your tank??