My Amazon sword problem

[sharkweek178]

Some of my plants aren't doing so well. I'm increasing the liquid fertilizer dosing for the column feeders. I also have an Amazon sword with melting leaves. I put two root tabs under it. But I'm wondering if I don't have a deep enough substrate (mine is about 2 inches) for the extensive root network they are known for. I'm considering replacing it with a crypt or red tiger lotus or something. Problem is, it I do replace it then I have to remove it first. It would be very difficult to remove all the roots without disrupting the entire tank. My question is, do I need to? Do I need to get all of the roots out of the substrate or can I just leave some in there to decompose and become nutrients for the other root plants?

 

[Ichthys]

Why can’t you just lift it out complete with roots? Should be easy in 2” of gravel(?). You’ll be left with mucky water but that’s only temporary and the fish won’t mind.
Amazon roots are like houseplant roots, enough to fill a large plant pot. Best Amazons I’ve ever seen were in 6” of fine gravel, with regular root tabs.

 

[sharkweek178]

Why can’t you just lift it out complete with roots? Should be easy in 2” of gravel(?). You’ll be left with mucky water but that’s only temporary and the fish won’t mind.
Amazon roots are like houseplant roots, enough to fill a large plant pot. Best Amazons I’ve ever seen were in 6” of fine gravel, with regular root tabs.

It's sand and there are other plants in there. I don't know if roots are tangled in other roots or if it would disturb hardscape.

 

[connorlindeman]

It's sand and there are other plants in there. I don't know if roots are tangled in other roots or if it would disturb hardscape.

Couldn't you pull it out just enough to cut the roots off? I have done that before. I assume the roots decompose in the sanding, adding nutrients.

 

[sharkweek178]

Couldn't you pull it out just enough to cut the roots off? I have done that before. I assume the roots decompose in the sanding, adding nutrients.

That's the idea. And I'm assuming the same thing. But you know what happens when you make an assumption. You make an ass of u and sumption. I wanted to make sure that I wouldn't do inadvertent damage. So I put it up to the rock stars here to make sure that that was a good idea.
I do have an alternate plan. At some point in the near future, I will have to temporarily move the tank for some work to be done on the floor it's on. Obviously that will mean completely breaking the tank down. So I could leave the sword in until then and get all the roots out then when I remove the substrate. (I'll also get a chance to do a head count of my pygmy cories and figure out exactly how many I have). But I would probably like to get a new replacement started before then so I wanted to look at my options.

 

[emeraldking]

If the water is too soft, amazone sword tend to melt away as well... Especially, the socalled aquatic amazon swords. The swamp amazon swords are stronger.

 

[sharkweek178]

If the water is too soft, amazone sword tend to melt away as well... Especially, the socalled aquatic amazon swords. The swamp amazon swords are stronger.

Maybe that's it. It did ok at first. My water is 136 ppm.

 

[emeraldking]

Maybe that's it. It did ok at first. My water is 136 ppm.

That's slightly hard (more to the soft side).

 

[Byron]

It is highly unlikely to be the depth of the sand. When I had swords reproducing, I often left some of them floating for months.

It is unlikely to be the GH, my water was zero. But the root tabs--which brand? I had one Flourish Tab next to each sword, replaced every three months, and no soft water issues.

 

[sharkweek178]

It is highly unlikely to be the depth of the sand. When I had swords reproducing, I often left some of them floating for months.

It is unlikely to be the GH, my water was zero. But the root tabs--which brand? I had one Flourish Tab next to each sword, replaced every three months, and no soft water issues.

Same kind. Flourish

 

[Byron]

OK, then nutrition is not likely an issue. That brings us to the light--spectrum and any other data? Are other plants doing well? A photo of the tank helps. Is it straight water, or through a softener.

 

[sharkweek178]

OK, then nutrition is not likely an issue. That brings us to the light--spectrum and any other data? Are other plants doing well? A photo of the tank helps. Is it straight water, or through a softener.

Just dechlorinated tap water. Although salt has been added to treat some medical issues with some of the fish. This issue started before that. And I'm going to start acclimating back to completely fresh water in the next couple of days. The crypt next to it is fine. The salvinia minima and anacharis I have floating in there don't seem to be thriving like they used to. They don't grow as fast and the roots have shrunk on the salvinia. I had some bacopa monieri that was not doing well either. I replaced it with bacopa carolinia. Some of the valisneria looks like it's struggling. But it's doing ok in other parts of the tank. One of the leaves on my Anubias frazieri is melting but otherwise that looks ok. Some algae is accumulating on the back wall I need to deal with.

 

[Byron]

OK, now I see the plant, it has nutritional issues. It seems to be dying actually, but the other plants look OK. How long have you had this sword?

The salt is not going to help any plants. Most can go through a week or two, depending upon the strength.

The liquid fertilizer, which one and how much? It is [possible to overdose some nutrients and plants will shut down assimilation of some other nutrients.

 

[sharkweek178]

OK, now I see the plant, it has nutritional issues. It seems to be dying actually, but the other plants look OK. How long have you had this sword?

The salt is not going to help any plants. Most can go through a week or two, depending upon the strength.

The liquid fertilizer, which one and how much? It is [possible to overdose some nutrients and plants will shut down assimilation of some other nutrients.

Since the beggining of the year, maybe late last year.

Seachem Flourish Comprehensive. 3 ml twice a week.

 

[Byron]

Not sure what to suggest.