It’s true that Amazon sword can survive in low light, and it needs higher light to thrive. My Amazon sword stay small and it never thrives with big ,green leaves-- I turn on the regular LED aquarium light for 6 hours to prevent algae overgrowth and I don’t feed it with root tabs ( I think fish waste should be enough). I am going to turn light longer and add some root tabs and hope it will grow into big green swords.
A good ecosystem is one that is left alone. I put lake bottom muck and capped it with sand and let it sit in tap water then I added sword plants at the bottom. You need more than one the hormones they release help the other plants grow
Hi mate, your swords are looking great, i trimmed the dead leaves of the ones in my betta community tank last night, one of my favorite aquarium plants mate, cheers
Snip the fower stems of and replant. Got a great motherplant and it is huge!! The one you got there is a tiny one compared :p Grow mine in just sand. The small ones need more nutrients then the large. My tank is 960 liter thou.
Great video! I got several questions though 1) Does Black Beard Algae attached to pothos' roots cause any harm or damage to them? Should I prevent BBA from growing on my plants roots? 2) How do you prevent BBA to take over your amazon sword? 3) Do you use any method to combat algae or you let the nature do what it wants inside your tank? Thank you for your videos. I found all of them very relaxing. Keep up the good work!
Black beard algae is not harmful to the Pothos roots. I don’t mind it growing in my tank unless it’s trying to take over everything and cover the plants in which case I dose with peroxide and turn off the aquarium light for a few days. That’s my take on green hair algae too. Most people seem to think that ANY algae is a sign of imbalance, impurity, mistreatment, neglect, etc. but I disagree. It doesn’t grow on the Amazon sword unless the plants are weak and need fertilizing, as long as they are healthy and growing they are not really bothered
I have two tanks and I’m trying to grow a few different types of plants and swords are one of them. One is a 20 gallon community fish tank with mostly gravel and some fluval nutrient rich substrate. I’m giving it about 11 hours of light per day at various strengths on a timer. Hoping more light will help the plant growth but I haven’t seen any growth so far. I give liquid fertilizer from time to time but I mostly rely on the fish to fertilize the plant. I also have a 75 gallon tank with sand, gravel, and fluval substrate with some small cichlids. I have two lights on the tank giving lots of lighting to the plants around 10 hours per day at various strengths. I used to have a big American cichlid tearing up the plants weekly and I recently got rid of that fish. I’m hoping I can finally grow these plants big and get them healthy. Let me know what you think.
I’m not sure swords need that much light to grow big but it depends on the intensity. At some point you might need to put fertilizer in the substrate for them. Might be a fun experiment for you to use fertilizer roots tabs on one tank and just do what you’ve been doing on the other and see what the difference is.
I have a theory and correct me if you tested it already.... Instead of sand and root tabs, couldn't you just use gravel? The roots will suck up everything in the water column because the gravel has large spaces in-between 🤔
The gravel can’t hold nutrients. Sand is better at keeping the nutrients longer than gravel but Soil is the best. Gravel and sand doesn’t have all of the micronutrients and microbial activity that soil contains. It may work if the plant can derive enough nutrients from the water.
@@plantlifeproject The theory is to use gravel if you want to let plant, food and other waste fall in the cracks of the gravel and over a long period of time the waste will form layers inbetween the gravel (if you don't gravel vac) Meanwhile, dose with liquid fertilizer. The fertilizer will reach the roots because of the space between the gravel. I think this way all nutrients will be evenly shared in the entire water column. The plants that require will use more, and the plants that require less get to use less
Root tabs are better for plants growing in the substrate because they feed from the roots primarily, liquid fertilizer is better for floating plants or ones feeding from the water
Yes you can. You may consider staggering the application of each by 1 week or so, so you are not putting both in at the same time. This can prevent excessive algae growth.
Do you think a Red Flame Sword would require even more light? I have one that's not been doing much. I know it needs more fertilizer, but it's also pretty shaded out by floating plants.
I just have 2 amazon swords but my goldfish tank doesn't have substrate, so I glued them to a stone. Do you think the plant will grow well? P.S. sorry if my English is bad. Love from Indonesia❤🇮🇩
Amazon sword will need to be in substrate in order to thrive. If you want to keep a bare bottom tank I recommend planting the Amazon sword in a clay pot with substrate that you can place down into the tank. I hope this helps. P.s. No problem with your English, it’s great!
Simple, CHEAP, Effective POND PLANTING Media ruclips.net/video/Er-bu_K-WB4/видео.html I use this same method for potting aquarium plants sometimes too.
Be sure to plant them in a large tank to begin with. Remove plants if you have multiples, take all of the leaves off of the one you leave and let it start over growing new leaves. Just A few thoughts
@@cichlidfrontosaguy9141 should work. Although the roots may fill up the container quickly unless there are holes in them. Sounds like a good experiment!
@@plantlifeproject it was not at the beginning but I got some root tabs and a better light and noticed faster growth in the last month or so. I love the red color of the new leafs when they first come out.
Good video. I have some swords in different tanks. I've always trimmed the leaves with my scissors as far down near the crown as I can. Maybe I should try just pulling the stems down? I'd be afraid of the plant moving all over especially in that lightweight stratum. One other thing I'd like to know my swords are kind of slow growing. 2 tanks have finnex stingray led the other is the fluval spec stock led. Are those not bright enough?
I never remove dead leaves , I let them to be consumed by bacterias . As Father Fish says death creates life .
Exactly!
I like the HOB filter on the side of the tank 👍
Thank you. This is a helpful guide to Amazon swords. 🌿
I’m glad it was helpful!
It’s true that Amazon sword can survive in low light, and it needs higher light to thrive. My Amazon sword stay small and it never thrives with big ,green leaves-- I turn on the regular LED aquarium light for 6 hours to prevent algae overgrowth and I don’t feed it with root tabs ( I think fish waste should be enough). I am going to turn light longer and add some root tabs and hope it will grow into big green swords.
A good ecosystem is one that is left alone. I put lake bottom muck and capped it with sand and let it sit in tap water then I added sword plants at the bottom. You need more than one the hormones they release help the other plants grow
Hi mate, your swords are looking great, i trimmed the dead leaves of the ones in my betta community tank last night, one of my favorite aquarium plants mate, cheers
My Amazon swords also have grown flower stems which i put in another tank but I also have to put in some root tabs thanks for another great video ❤
I learned so much. Thanks
Very welcome!
Yes it's a good help I have 2 in my aquarium
Thanks for the information, one of my favorite plants.
Mine too!
Awesome explanation, I'm glad that found your channel.
Thanks and welcome!
I really like amazon sword plants and they are great for beginners with low tech aquariums.
Totally agree!
Snip the fower stems of and replant. Got a great motherplant and it is huge!!
The one you got there is a tiny one compared :p
Grow mine in just sand. The small ones need more nutrients then the large. My tank is 960 liter thou.
…And the contentious child at the playground said, “my sword is bigger than yours!”…
Great video! I got several questions though
1) Does Black Beard Algae attached to pothos' roots cause any harm or damage to them? Should I prevent BBA from growing on my plants roots?
2) How do you prevent BBA to take over your amazon sword?
3) Do you use any method to combat algae or you let the nature do what it wants inside your tank?
Thank you for your videos. I found all of them very relaxing. Keep up the good work!
Black beard algae is not harmful to the Pothos roots. I don’t mind it growing in my tank unless it’s trying to take over everything and cover the plants in which case I dose with peroxide and turn off the aquarium light for a few days. That’s my take on green hair algae too. Most people seem to think that ANY algae is a sign of imbalance, impurity, mistreatment, neglect, etc. but I disagree. It doesn’t grow on the Amazon sword unless the plants are weak and need fertilizing, as long as they are healthy and growing they are not really bothered
I’m glad you are enjoying the videos, thank you!
I have two tanks and I’m trying to grow a few different types of plants and swords are one of them. One is a 20 gallon community fish tank with mostly gravel and some fluval nutrient rich substrate. I’m giving it about 11 hours of light per day at various strengths on a timer. Hoping more light will help the plant growth but I haven’t seen any growth so far. I give liquid fertilizer from time to time but I mostly rely on the fish to fertilize the plant. I also have a 75 gallon tank with sand, gravel, and fluval substrate with some small cichlids. I have two lights on the tank giving lots of lighting to the plants around 10 hours per day at various strengths. I used to have a big American cichlid tearing up the plants weekly and I recently got rid of that fish. I’m hoping I can finally grow these plants big and get them healthy. Let me know what you think.
I’m not sure swords need that much light to grow big but it depends on the intensity. At some point you might need to put fertilizer in the substrate for them. Might be a fun experiment for you to use fertilizer roots tabs on one tank and just do what you’ve been doing on the other and see what the difference is.
Great video and I just subscribed.
Awesome thank you!
Interesting
Fantastic video. Thank you sir
Most welcome!
thank you!
You are welcome!
Good info, thank you! What is the underwater vine with the round leaves across the top there?
😁👍
You’re welcome! The plant is Brazilian pennywort
Great video Andrew. Do you know which variety you have in your 75 gallon? I'm off to try removing some dying leaves using your method right now.
Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it! It actually came from Petco and was sold as Echinodorus Sp. "Amazonicus”
I have a theory and correct me if you tested it already....
Instead of sand and root tabs, couldn't you just use gravel? The roots will suck up everything in the water column because the gravel has large spaces in-between 🤔
The gravel can’t hold nutrients. Sand is better at keeping the nutrients longer than gravel but Soil is the best. Gravel and sand doesn’t have all of the micronutrients and microbial activity that soil contains. It may work if the plant can derive enough nutrients from the water.
@@plantlifeproject The theory is to use gravel if you want to let plant, food and other waste fall in the cracks of the gravel and over a long period of time the waste will form layers inbetween the gravel (if you don't gravel vac)
Meanwhile, dose with liquid fertilizer. The fertilizer will reach the roots because of the space between the gravel.
I think this way all nutrients will be evenly shared in the entire water column. The plants that require will use more, and the plants that require less get to use less
Root tabs better than liquid fertilizer?And if so why?
Root tabs are better for plants growing in the substrate because they feed from the roots primarily, liquid fertilizer is better for floating plants or ones feeding from the water
hey, so I have both amazon swords and a floating plants. Is it okay if I put both root tabs and liquid fertilizer?
Yes you can. You may consider staggering the application of each by 1 week or so, so you are not putting both in at the same time. This can prevent excessive algae growth.
Now I'm wondering if I could plant an amazon sword in my pond basket next spring.
I have grown some in small ponds in containers of dirt and sand during the warmer months. I sold them in the fall.
@@jonisolis9645 oh that's cool! I will definitely try it next spring.
How do I ensure the many terrestial plants growing outside the tank do not deplete all the nutrients required in a heavily planted tank?
Fertilizer root tabs can be used. Aquarium or even pond root tabs.
Do you think a Red Flame Sword would require even more light? I have one that's not been doing much. I know it needs more fertilizer, but it's also pretty shaded out by floating plants.
Yes I think more light and possibly iron
Is it ok to bury them in gravel substrate?
i gave orchid osmocote fertilizer to my amazon she exploded in a week . defo a heavy root feeder
Can you do this with fish in the aquarium?
I just have 2 amazon swords but my goldfish tank doesn't have substrate, so I glued them to a stone. Do you think the plant will grow well?
P.S. sorry if my English is bad. Love from Indonesia❤🇮🇩
Amazon sword will need to be in substrate in order to thrive. If you want to keep a bare bottom tank I recommend planting the Amazon sword in a clay pot with substrate that you can place down into the tank. I hope this helps. P.s. No problem with your English, it’s great!
Do you have any examples of planting pots
Simple, CHEAP, Effective POND PLANTING Media
ruclips.net/video/Er-bu_K-WB4/видео.html
I use this same method for potting aquarium plants sometimes too.
If I trim back my Amazon sword, will it get fuller?
Trimming does not make this plant fuller but fertilizing can by promoting larger, fuller leaves
How long did it take for the swords to get that big?
I don’t remember exactly. Several months? They will grow faster with fertilizer. I didn’t start fertilizing them regularly until after a year
what can be done when the amazon swords outgrow the tank?
Be sure to plant them in a large tank to begin with. Remove plants if you have multiples, take all of the leaves off of the one you leave and let it start over growing new leaves. Just A few thoughts
Hey. I bought some 9.75"L x 3.75"W x 2"D and some 13.75"L x 3.85"W x 2"D organizers. Do you think 2" can work? Thanks again.
What are you thinking about using them for?
@@plantlifeproject for the sword plants. I use them for other smaller plants
@@cichlidfrontosaguy9141 should work. Although the roots may fill up the container quickly unless there are holes in them. Sounds like a good experiment!
@@plantlifeproject thanks 😊 a bunch
Why have my swords started to grow fine hair on the leaves towards the top grey and some are red threads?
Probably an algae, usually happens with excessive light and or nutrients in the water.
Is Amazon Sword too large for 10 and 20 gallon tank?
It can be too large depending on the variety, there are many varieties of swords, some are smaller,some large.
My Amazon sword plant leaves are turning black and developing holes within 3 weeks. What could be the reason?
Could be potassium deficiency? Are fertilizing with roots tabs at all?
@@plantlifeproject no, I was putting macro and micro nutrients once a week
Do you have any red melon sword? Mine is very slow grower.
no I do not have any at this time. do you think its getting enough light and nutrients?
@@plantlifeproject it was not at the beginning but I got some root tabs and a better light and noticed faster growth in the last month or so. I love the red color of the new leafs when they first come out.
Good video. I have some swords in different tanks. I've always trimmed the leaves with my scissors as far down near the crown as I can. Maybe I should try just pulling the stems down? I'd be afraid of the plant moving all over especially in that lightweight stratum.
One other thing I'd like to know my swords are kind of slow growing. 2 tanks have finnex stingray led the other is the fluval spec stock led. Are those not bright enough?
Why do you need root tabs if you have a dirt substrate under the sand?
The dirt can and does run out of nutrition for the plants after a while.
Thx! How do you feel about small gravel and root tabs and just skipping the dirt altogether?
Just like fertilizing a garden, it is necessary sometimes
The downside is that the nutrients will leach into the water column with a gravel substrate
@@plantlifeproject Yes, I’m sure that’s happened to me. Thx