shaving brush plant problems?

pugmommie · 11/01/2005, 04:01 PM

I have recently added 2 shaving brush plants to my 29 gal. They were added 5 days ago. Today I noticed the grass is starting to turn a grayish black color. Not the thick part of the stalk but where the stalk ends and grass begins. The Ends of the grass is still green. And this is on about half of the plants. Any suggestions? Thanks

km133688 · 11/01/2005, 04:50 PM

I had these for a while. I think you are seeing normal die off. Some vendors mention that you will see some die off when initially added. I found that removing the dead stuff keeps the tank cleaner.

You should also see that they spread roots under the sand and multiply pretty good as long as they get water flow and light and some nutients. I grew as many as I planted.

Eventually something happened and they all died off. Never replaced them.

Good luck.

pugmommie · 11/02/2005, 10:52 AM

Thanks for the advice. I'm not sure how to remove the dead stuff. and if I take it all off it will be bald!
Also, I figured I should leave it alone, if I try to get the dead stuff off it I might really stress it out

km133688 · 11/02/2005, 11:16 AM

You may find that these plants collect algae on them. I used the do all tool of reefing (turkey baster) to blow the heads around and blow off algae. Any thing that fell off from the blowing I figure shouldn't be there anyway. I also find they will grow heads back. Indeed, you will eventually see little nubbs poking out of the sand around the each mother plant. You will have to decide if you want to dig it up and move it to give it more light or not.

In general I'd say whatever you do you should be OK. Its all a learning process anyways.

Have fun with them and don't worry about hurting them. They grow pretty good if you give them lots of light, some good water flow. The water flow may even help to keep the heads clean.

Try finding some reading about the plants on line and see if you can learn what their natrual habitat it like. If it is shorline or similar then you can figure they get buffeted around a bit by wave surge and so you can increase flow across them will out much ill effect.

Good luck, Kevin

kmk2307 · 11/02/2005, 03:08 PM

I would leave them alone and they will shed the dead material. Penicillus needs lots of calcium, very low concentrations of phosphates, moderate concentrations of nitrates (I'm guessing at least 5mg/L or so), and moderate lighting to do well.

pugmommie · 11/02/2005, 06:12 PM

Thank you!!

km133688 · 11/03/2005, 07:49 PM

it is always good to hear from someone who really knows what he is talking about eh...

Kevin

11/01/2005, 04:01 PM	#1
pugmommie Griffy Lover Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Crestview, Fl Posts: 383	shaving brush plant problems? I have recently added 2 shaving brush plants to my 29 gal. They were added 5 days ago. Today I noticed the grass is starting to turn a grayish black color. Not the thick part of the stalk but where the stalk ends and grass begins. The Ends of the grass is still green. And this is on about half of the plants. Any suggestions? Thanks

11/01/2005, 04:50 PM	#2
km133688 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Norwich CT Posts: 1,559	I had these for a while. I think you are seeing normal die off. Some vendors mention that you will see some die off when initially added. I found that removing the dead stuff keeps the tank cleaner. You should also see that they spread roots under the sand and multiply pretty good as long as they get water flow and light and some nutients. I grew as many as I planted. Eventually something happened and they all died off. Never replaced them. Good luck. __________________ Elderwoman says: "come in Chosen One and hear, our village is saved, for the holy G.E.C.K. has promised we will be delivered a Fallout3!" Current Tank Info: 28Gallon BioCube HQI w/ mated pair of tomatoe clowns and mated pair of banggai cardinalfish

11/02/2005, 10:52 AM	#3
pugmommie Griffy Lover Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Crestview, Fl Posts: 383	Thanks for the advice. I'm not sure how to remove the dead stuff. and if I take it all off it will be bald! Also, I figured I should leave it alone, if I try to get the dead stuff off it I might really stress it out __________________ 120 gal with 75 gal sump, aqua c ev180 skimmer, 4 x t5's and 2x kessil a350w, with an attached 29 gal along for the ride! New setup innovative marine nuvo 16 with 1x kessil a350w Current Tank Info: 2 each 30 gal saltwater, and a 120 gal tank, Typhoon Reefkeeping RODI

11/02/2005, 11:16 AM	#4
km133688 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Norwich CT Posts: 1,559	You may find that these plants collect algae on them. I used the do all tool of reefing (turkey baster) to blow the heads around and blow off algae. Any thing that fell off from the blowing I figure shouldn't be there anyway. I also find they will grow heads back. Indeed, you will eventually see little nubbs poking out of the sand around the each mother plant. You will have to decide if you want to dig it up and move it to give it more light or not. In general I'd say whatever you do you should be OK. Its all a learning process anyways. Have fun with them and don't worry about hurting them. They grow pretty good if you give them lots of light, some good water flow. The water flow may even help to keep the heads clean. Try finding some reading about the plants on line and see if you can learn what their natrual habitat it like. If it is shorline or similar then you can figure they get buffeted around a bit by wave surge and so you can increase flow across them will out much ill effect. Good luck, Kevin __________________ Elderwoman says: "come in Chosen One and hear, our village is saved, for the holy G.E.C.K. has promised we will be delivered a Fallout3!" Current Tank Info: 28Gallon BioCube HQI w/ mated pair of tomatoe clowns and mated pair of banggai cardinalfish

11/02/2005, 06:12 PM	#6
pugmommie Griffy Lover Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Crestview, Fl Posts: 383	Thank you!! __________________ 120 gal with 75 gal sump, aqua c ev180 skimmer, 4 x t5's and 2x kessil a350w, with an attached 29 gal along for the ride! New setup innovative marine nuvo 16 with 1x kessil a350w Current Tank Info: 2 each 30 gal saltwater, and a 120 gal tank, Typhoon Reefkeeping RODI

11/02/2005, 03:08 PM	#5
kmk2307 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 5,110	I would leave them alone and they will shed the dead material. Penicillus needs lots of calcium, very low concentrations of phosphates, moderate concentrations of nitrates (I'm guessing at least 5mg/L or so), and moderate lighting to do well.

11/03/2005, 07:49 PM	#7
km133688 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Norwich CT Posts: 1,559	it is always good to hear from someone who really knows what he is talking about eh... Kevin __________________ Elderwoman says: "come in Chosen One and hear, our village is saved, for the holy G.E.C.K. has promised we will be delivered a Fallout3!" Current Tank Info: 28Gallon BioCube HQI w/ mated pair of tomatoe clowns and mated pair of banggai cardinalfish