Cabomba Caroliniana Stunted?

[Pat7676]

I got some Cabomba Caroliniana about 3 weeks ago. They were going very fast. I moved them around in my tank a few times trying to figure out where i wanted them. Well it seems they are stunned they seem to not have grown any. I know the profile on the plants say it can easly reach the surface within a week. Could they have been stunted?

[Roy Deki]

I would guess they are a little stress out. Leave them be for a while and as soon as they develope some roots it will take off.

[Pat7676]

Ok i will just let them be and see how they do.

[Brian]

you have CO2? the plant is in full light?

[Pat7676]

Yes have CO2 2 BPS with EI dosing, and its in full light.

[Brian]

mmm, then is stress out, this plant is easy, I dont habe it but have another specie of cabomba and a similar red (I dont know the name) plant and the two is growing fast with a similar setup like you.

[Pat7676]

Then is stress out?

[Brian]

wait 2-3 days and report any changes in the plant

[Pat7676]

Ok i give update on it in a few days.

[John N.]

Since you're doing the full EI and are supplementing with CO2, the only thing that I could think of is it's adjusting to all the movement. Cabomba species are an easy to grow plant in my experience. As long as they get a lot of light they'll shoot directly to the surface. The hardest part with keeping them is providing that light to keep them from looking "leggy" (long internodes from leaf node to leaf node).

You can try trimming the tops off to encourage some of the stems to sent out new side shoots.

-John N.

[Pat7676]

Adjusting all to the movement? I trimmed half of the tops and the are sending out side shoots but when they reach about 3 inchs they stop.

[Brian]

mm, thats sounds weird, my cabomba grow like crazy even in my low tech aquarium (I have several tanks)

[Pat7676]

Yeah i know makes me wonder too. I am doing everything right that i know of.

[BPASCreighton]

Look at your local water report and check your Mg, Ca levels. It may not be the problem, but better safe than sorry.

[Pat7676]

Where can i get that at the water department?

[kakkoii]

sounds strange...

[Hoppy]

CO2 can do wonders for slow growing plants. And, a water temperature between 75F and 80F also helps. I know you already use CO2, but how do you introduce it into the water? And, unless you use a drop checker, with 4 dKH distilled or deionized water in it you can't be sure you have an adequate amount dissolved in the water. Finally, even with good CO2 concentration you still need good water flow in the tank so all plants get a constant supply of CO2 enriched water at all times. I have had to use a small powerhead to supplement the water circulation, or I can't keep BBA from starting - a good sign of inadequate CO2 at that location.

[Pat7676]

My water temp is in that range. As far as CO2 i am introducing it through a spiral diffuser. I have my drop checker on the other end of the tank with 4dkh distilled water in it. The color is light green. I figure i have enough water flow because the drop checker is on the other side of the tank and shows that i have the right amount of CO2. I know one thing my drop checker color never changes really. When i set the solution up it is blue then after a hour it changes to green. Sometimes i change my BPS from like 1 BPS to 3 and the drop checker color still stays the same.

[Freemann]

Cabombas like rich substrate. They always look at their best when they reach the surface as John said. They act weird here as well on many occasions.
With rich substrate you can grow them fine to wild even without CO2 addition this is my experience with the green ones at least.

[Pat7676]

Well i suspose my substrate is rich it is echo complete.