Live Plant Journal - Part 7

I'd like to say all is well but.....
Actually all is well, now. I came in from work on Friday and as I always do I checked my messages. I usually do not have any but for a change I had a red flashing light. That RED light should have been a warning, but it didn't connect in my work worn mind so I pushed the button and listened. I heard Don's voice and listened as he told me that I must have misunderstood what he had told me about which plant to put on the driftwood. All I could think was "oh no" as I continued to listen.

Wrong Plant on Driftwood
Don explained to me that the Hornwort was supposed to float on the top of the tank or that I could bury the end so that it would stay in place. He then told me that I should have had two, not one, plants on the driftwood. The two plant's were to have been the Anubias Nana and the Narrow Java Fern and could I please call him as soon as possible.

Since it was late Friday evening I decided to take matters into my own hands and change the plants around. Now the driftwood is the new home to the Anubias Nana and Narrow Java Fern, and the that had gone wild is floating at the top of the tank.

First thing Saturday morning I called Don and said that he wasn't sure what to have me do. I told him what I had done and he ask if all was well, to which I answered yes. We discussed that I couldn't read what was written on the bags when they arrived as they had gotten wet, and since I could not reach him I did what looked right.

Hornwort I decided to put the Hornwort on the driftwood because I figured that since I couldn't find a root system it must be the one that was to be tied on the driftwood. Don explained that Hornwort could just float on the top and that I should snip it to a 4" piece, using the new growth and to keep it snipped when it got out of control. He told me that it needed to be in the tank to use up the ammonia but that was really the only reason he had me use it.

Don also explained that some plants shouldn't have their root system buried or it could kill the plant. All was well for the time being. Lesson learned ... if you're not certain ASK!!!! Never just assume that things are crystal clear. There not, in this case they were rootless.

This weekend I'll be getting my two new fish and I'll post about that. See you all in a few days with new fish in tow. ~ Sheila

Guide Notes
Sheila did what virtually all of us do if we don't have information - we go with what looks or 'feels' good. Sometimes we get lucky, other times it proves disastrous. Fortunately Sheila dodged the bullet this time.

... stay tuned, our series continues when Sheila adds new fish to her tank.

My thanks to Sheila for sharing her journal and to Don Matakis for sending plants and providing Sheila with expert advice.