Fishkeepers, I need your help.

[Not Heidi]

I have a 15 gallon Fluval aquarium. It's been running for about a year. I've wanted to plant it, but not knowing how, I waited. About three weeks ago I bought the plants and put them into the aquarium.

Within a week, the two tall ones (don't know their name) began flagging. They grew weak, and slowly turned brown. Within a few more days, they were completely brown and had wound up flat on the gravel, waving a bit with the current. I took them out. I'm very sad.

The other plants seem hardier, but most leaves have small brown sections on them.

Why have I become a plant killer? I'll appreciate any advice you can give.

[BumRushDaShow]

1. I haven't done aquariums in about 20 years

and looked up the Fluval type. The one big thing about planting aquariums is the plant source - some places are shady with plants and if you have any nurseries that specialize in ponds, that might be a good place to check for established plants.

In general, just like non-aquatic/terrestrial plants, moving them into a different environment (with different lighting/water conditions) will cause some stress. If you haven't already, certainly check the water pH, as well as ammonia and nitrate levels as that will have some impact. I.e., if you have too many fish in there, then that could cause an imbalance (what fish do you have?).

You could also try posting the Pet Group (although I know it's mostly cat and dog discussion there ) - https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1161

[Not Heidi]

2. Thank you, BumRush

My numbers - pH, nitrate, ammonia, all of them - are fine. Right now I have just two fish: a cory and a harlequin rasbora. I wanted to start slow and I've become ridiculous about it.

My LFS is reputable, with healthy fish and healthy plants (and the plants are snail-free). I plan to buy some more stock as well as re-planting in the next few days.

Thank you for your input.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. Most welcome!

The other factor is like when moving fish from one environment to another, plants can be stressed with the change. That can be the case with terrestrial plants as well as they try to adjust to new lighting and temperatures. One thing I had learned over the years is that aquatic plants really do need good quality lighting.

I have also seen some setups where the aquatic plant was actually "potted" and then buried in the gravel. You see this with pond plants where they might have the rootball in a basket-like pot that has slits and/or holes to allow roots to grow through but keeps the plant stable when buried in the aquarium substrate.

Hope you have better luck!!!