Hey MJ; I was wondering what shelf you have behind you? I prefer smaller tanks (I keep shrimp and snail tanks) and your shelf seems to be able to support the weight which is my biggest concern for my precious babies. I wouldn’t want it to break under the weight one day while I’m out. Thanks!
This has got to be your most informative video yet! I think you've found where you shine when it comes to the aquarium hobby: plant keeping and propagation! I definitely learned a lot here. Too often I find myself arbitrarily going through and just cutting things that look bad without knowing how exactly it will affect the plants production.
Ugly Leaves Matter! ULM 😂😂😂😂 J/K … that was the very best explanation I have ever seen on trimming plants! I have yet to build my first aqua scape, but getting more educated first.
Finally, the lesson that I need. Was trimming my 2 months aquascape and yeah, moss part is something else Thanks for the tips and cant wait to see more tips😊
Well, this video came out at the perfect time! I have a three month old planted tank, and I know I need to trim everything, but I was worried about how to do it. I'm especially glad you talked about stem plants because mine are already breaking the surface, but there are lots of gaps and I would love for everything to fill in and look lush. I didn't know I could trim them so short, and I didn't know they would grow back with two branches. Thank you for explaining this. I have gone back over some of your older videos for help with other issues, and you have been a great help.
Dwarf Saggitaria. When you trim it, the remaining leaf blade will melt. So you can't really have a trimmed carpet of dwarf sag. Something I've experienced in my own tank.
MJ, I have Ludwigia Super Red in my 20 gal (75 L) tank and only get the nice red leaves when it gets closer to the surface. Using a Fluval 3.0 light, just don’t feel I can turn it up too much without setting the algae off. How do you recommend I go about getting more of the nice red leaves closer to the substrate? Should I snip off the tops and replace everything like you mentioned in this video?
I have a very deep tank where itis very hard to trim close to the bottom. I need scissors with and long (~30inches) adjustable handle. Where can I get one? Thanks for a great video
Where would you categories Echinodorus Bolivianus? Carpet plant as well? Is that something I should be trimming as well or do I just let it do its thing?
I love watching your video's. I need a bit of advise. I am in the proces of starting my own tank. just filled up with plants a week ago. And my crypt parva is turning yellow maybe a nitro deficiency? and my Anubias is showing holes in the leaves. maybe pottasium deficiency? But i also have some red root floaters (not to many) and they are growing nicely, lots of new leaves. If they are growing it means there is nutricien right? i added profito from easylife. this has no nitro and phosphate. There are no vis yet, so maybe it is a nitro/phosfate deficiency? the lights are running low and short during this start up fase. Am i doing any thing wrong or am i impatient :P any tips wil be appreciated. Greetings from Noord Holland Medemblik,
Awsome video and good explanation! I like your videos and learn alot about it. A question i have is: do you also change your lean fertilizer method routine afther trimming, for a week or so? because i heard some people are doing that because the plants have a shock afther trimming.
Heey, I was wondering if you have more tips for trimming bulb plants, especially how to keep them compact. I bought a Thai lotus bulb online with a couple of leaves. At first the new leaves were quite compact but they already started growing upwards. Now all new leaves have enormous stems going all the way to the surface forming lillypads. I don't mind a few lilly pads but I would really prefer the compact look. However, I'm afraid to trim of all the leaves as the newest leaves are already getting smaller indicating that the plant is loosing reserves instead of gaining them. Is there anything triming related that I can do to keep it more compact? Or could it be that the light intensity is simply not high enough to keep the plant compact? I imagine that could be the case, but I already have insane troubles with algea eventhough the I drasticly reduced exposure so I'm really scared to cranck it back up.
With the stem plants you mentioned doing it over and over until not good growth/deficiency. How do you start over? New plant? How could you get this plant to reproduce naturally so you can start the process yourself w/o buying new?
I've been watching your videos now for a few months, and I have to say, you make some of the best videos out there. I like the music, the content and the way you give it over. Thank you for all your hard work in making these videos, they are much appreciated!
Great video (as always) and super helpful! in regards to stem plants, should they be planted individually or is it ok to bunch a few together with a lead weight and plant like that? Thank you!
This was really helpful, I guess I’ve always struggled with when to trim my plants in fear that I would harm them. Most of my tanks have a carpeting plant (hair grass) and after a trim it tends to yellow at the tips figured it was a reason to not trim but now I’m thinking it’s normal
Another enjoyable and informative video... would love a little more depth on Transitioning Plants from Emersed to Submersed .. having a struggle there..
Great video as allways, just question about maitenence of aquario neo inlet and outlet, is it posible to clean it in bleech like standard glass. Thanx and all the best to you..
Question: what carpeting plant would you recommend for a low tech tank and a beginner hobbyist? And, how much of it would you plant to get it going? I live in U.S. and am thinking it may be best to purchase online and have it delivered. Thoughts or recommendations for a great business to purchase from? Thank you for all the time/energy you put into your work and sharing it! You bring a lot of beauty.
Hi, interesting video since i'm still learning, but I've a problem with my marimo moss, it is not circular and compact, it has a flame-like shape, what can I do?
My tank has been set up for 6 weeks. I was wondering when I could snip my plants. Your videos are informative and to the point. Keep up the great work and I love your aquascaping talent!
Bravo mark, very useful video, there are many videos on this topic, but few explain how to prune correctly, another interesting topic could be on how to fix epiphytic plants on wood or rocks, how to tie moss correctly or how to fix other epiphytic plants, what materials to use and above all how to proceed...hello and thank you!
That is very difficult. There will always be some substrate attached to the roots. Just shake it gently to remove as much as possible, and do a water change after that.
There is rarely any need for uprooting. Just trim as close to the substrate as possible, the remainder will decompose soon without any down sides. If you really have to take out an entire plant, pls do it veeery slowly and conduct heavy water changes immediately afterwards.
Hi Tom I am obviously not Mark but I am growing a mixture of Marsilea and dwarf hair grass. I have mowed it several times like you would do with Cuba or Glosso. It always came back quite nicely with no problems.
Wonderful video! Ideally, how far apart should we plant our stem plants in a no CO2 medium to high medium light set up? I understand they should be further apart in this situation and am wondering what your recommendations are Also, this was the best video I've ever seen on this subject! Your teaching method actually makes it all make sense to me. Very good job! Thank you so much!! ☺️☺️☺️
It doesn't really matter how far apart you plant them. I guess it depends on how big of an area you want to plant, and the amount of stems you have available. Just go with what feels right to you, and I'm sure it will work out 😊
Hi James, the reason for premature dropping off of lower leaves or for leaves that soon become ugly typically is low phosphate levels. Careful when dosing PO4, plants don't need much, aim for constant levels.
There's no trimming Jungle Vals I'm guessing, I cut the tops off sometimes just to make them more manageable and let some light through but I get some die off at the tips later on which looks horrible anyone got any tips for them?
When I trimmed my hair grass for the first time since I planted it, it happened that the hair grass turned into a brown colour in to the tip like it was dying. 😢😢