Thank you...I now have some new avenues to try out.

btw...I have 4 40w flourescent (2 shop lights) over my tank.....use GE "Sun"
and "Plant and Aquaria" bulbs.....which are inexpensive and have great
spectrum.


"Carol-Ann" wrote in message
...

wrote in message
news:rbubf.14070$gj1.10988@fed1read05...
Hi all,

I have a 125gal tank with 5 comets and a pleco....every time I have put
plants in, it has been unsuccessful. Their constant rooting around
makes
the plants surface and/or they chomp them up.

## When keeping my GF well fed 2 or 3 times a day I haven't had that
problem. I do anchor the plants well with rocks though. They do love
floating duckweed and eat it immediately. Hornwart and eelgrass aren't
touched.

It is a main feature in the
room it is in and I would love to add some color and texture to it
without
having flourescent air ornaments.

## There are always artificial plants. They're pretty darn realistic
looking these days.

Just an FYI...I know how to manage a planted tank with tropicals....As I
have a thriving 20gal (long) that has been stable for about 7 years now.
point being that I understand the basics of light, substrate, temp and
water
chemistry.

I have tried to grow apongetons, anachris, hornwort, hygrophillia
deformis,
and a few marsh plants and had no success.....Any ideas..

## How BRIGHT is this tank? Almost nothing will do well with the lighting
tanks come with. I replace them with shop lights.

I live in Arizona and our water is pretty hard.....I don't mind
softening
the water for plants....but will the goldfish be ok with the pH between
6
and 7?...(It is currenlty 7.5-8)

## GF have thrived better for me over the years in alkaline hard water.
Elodea, hornwart and eelgrass thrive in these waters. You may try feeding
your fish a little more often - or more at each feeding and increase the
lighting. Also you may need to add an iron supplement to the water for
the
plants. Also, add a BUNCH at a time. One or two new plants may be too
attractive to the fish... who love to nibble on everything.
--
Reel McKoi.... frugal ponding since 1995...
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy
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