Nana plant not in good shape.

[StripySnailGirl04]

Hello everyone!
My largest nana plant has a few problems in the past few months that don't occur with the other nanas. Its leaves seem to be torn or eaten and many of the leaves have turned yellow and detached. Help! Did my nerites eat the leaves? After all, there is no more algae left to eat...

 

[Naughts]

How many nerites, in what size tank and what do you feed them?

Is the plants rhizome above the surface? Do you use any plant fertilizer? What is the light specifications and how long is it on for?

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

How many nerites, in what size tank and what do you feed them?

Is the plants rhizome above the surface? Do you use any plant fertilizer? What is the light specifications and how long is it on for?

3 nerites
40 litre tank
Nerites just eat the algae in the tank but there seems to be none left.
Rhizome in the water
I don't use plant fertilizer
I don't know the light specifications
Typically light is on for 11 to 14 hours (I switch the lights on manually)

 

[Naughts]

Sorry, I meant is the rhizome above the surface of the substrate (sand, gravel etc.)
You could try adding an algae wafer twice a week.

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

Sorry, I meant is the rhizome above the surface of the substrate (sand, gravel etc.)
You could try adding an algae wafer twice a week.

An algea wafer for the nerites?

 

[Essjay]

With the lights on that long, the anubias could well have grown a lot of algae on the leaves. The nerites would rasp the algae off the leaves and possibly damage the leaf surface in the process.

I would have the lights on for less time, try 8 hours and see how the plants get on. If you have only anubias, that's more than long enough.

If there are any fish in the tank I would also buy a timer so that the lights turn on and off at the same time every day, as this is better for fish. They also need some light in the room - either the room light or daylight - for at least half an hour before the tank lights turn on and half an hour after they turn off. Going from dim/no light to full tank light and back is stressful to fish as they need time for their eyes to adjust.

 

[Fishfinder1973]

Looks like nibbles,as that aside,the anubias looks healthy.

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

With the lights on that long, the anubias could well have grown a lot of algae on the leaves. The nerites would rasp the algae off the leaves and possibly damage the leaf surface in the process.

I would have the lights on for less time, try 8 hours and see how the plants get on. If you have only anubias, that's more than long enough.

If there are any fish in the tank I would also buy a timer so that the lights turn on and off at the same time every day, as this is better for fish. They also need some light in the room - either the room light or daylight - for at least half an hour before the tank lights turn on and half an hour after they turn off. Going from dim/no light to full tank light and back is stressful to fish as they need time for their eyes to adjust.

We have a timer but it might be broken. I'll give it a try

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

Sorry, I meant is the rhizome above the surface of the substrate (sand, gravel etc.)
You could try adding an algae wafer twice a week.

I just tossed 2 algae wafers into the tank. The passing nerite completely ignored it but the barbs are interested : they are trying to eat it but it looks like football.

 

[AquaBarb]

A good plant fertilizer is needed really

 

[Stan510]

What I see is a lack of iron and potassium has caused the leaves to develop pinholes and that the deterioration is what the snails are feeding on. Like you eat soft cooked spinach but when fresh leaves are no bueno-lol.

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

What I see is a lack of iron and potassium has caused the leaves to develop pinholes and that the deterioration is what the snails are feeding on. Like you eat soft cooked spinach but when fresh leaves are no bueno-lol.

Do you recommend any iron or potassium supplements?

 

[Stan510]

Seachem Iron always works for me. I'm sure their Potassium is fine also. Because I have an extra large aquarium I get by with Potassium glutamate tablets from the local pharmacy. But for most people a bottle of Seachem Potassium is easier.

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

Seachem Iron always works for me. I'm sure their Potassium is fine also. Because I have an extra large aquarium I get by with Potassium glutamate tablets from the local pharmacy. But for most people a bottle of Seachem Potassium is easier.

I'll look into that