Plant Diagnosis Needed

[Tonyb111111]

Can someone tell me whats wrong with my favourite plant. It is still growing like mad but is developing holes in the leaves which start as brown spots and then turn into holes. You will see from the pics I have recently had an algae issue and was wondering if this had anthing to do with it. Or is it lack of CO2 or ferts. T5 lights are currently on 10 hrs/day, weekly dose of nitrate/phospate free liquid fert, and daily 5ml dose of Flourish Excel. Other information in sig, all stats are good and i noticed recently that nitrates in my tank are starting to decrease since adding Excel, so i thought all was going well. Any ideas anyone

Starts as brown spots

">

then goes like this

">

 

[KkAaNnEe]

I believe holes are due to lack of co2, but I dont run high tec so maybe someone else can help you out

 

[ian]

KkAaNnEe is correct that is a C02 issue (or lack of), theres some BBA on there as well, which would indicate the same thing.

 

[Tonyb111111]

Thanks again guys, so am I right in saying that I'm now at the point of needing CO2 injection to improve the situation?

 

[ian]

It always a difficult thing to say really, but maybe the plants will do better with some C02 injection. It could just be a flow issue do to C02, if the plants aren't getting the flow around them, which is carrying your liquid C02.

 

[Tonyb111111]

It always a difficult thing to say really, but maybe the plants will do better with some C02 injection. It could just be a flow issue do to C02, if the plants aren't getting the flow around them, which is carrying your liquid C02.

Glad you said that, I have a couple of dead spots at substrate level and was think of getting another filter to increase the flow (and filtration) around the tank. Currently getting about 4x tank volume an hour, and was thinking of doubling this. May try this before going down the CO2 route, and see what happens

 

[KkAaNnEe]

If your filtration is ok just get a powerhead mate

 

[Tonyb111111]

If your filtration is ok just get a powerhead mate

Will probably go for an extra filter and a koralia, I am quite heavily stocked. Saying that I have never seen ammonia or nitrite in my water yet since its had fish in

 

[KkAaNnEe]

If you're targetting a dead spot it may be easier with a powerhead, thats all i was thinking

 

[Tonyb111111]

If you're targetting a dead spot it may be easier with a powerhead, thats all i was thinking

You're definitely right, I can direct the koralia anywhere I want. Just got to find a cheap one. Am I right in thinking they give a really good flow but don't blow everything around like mad?

 

[FishFanatic04]

mine blow everything around like mad. I hate the dang things and have to wrap them in filter floss to baffle the flow, which leaves dead spots because then they are too weak! My suggestion is to buy them in a store and keep the receipt so you can exchange it for a different flow if you need. Bought mine on ebay

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Just dont buy the one fishfanatic has LOL

What size is tour tank? Yeah the flow is very spread out really, to me anyway lol

 

[Tonyb111111]

mine blow everything around like mad. I hate the dang things and have to wrap them in filter floss to baffle the flow, which leaves dead spots because then they are too weak! My suggestion is to buy them in a store and keep the receipt so you can exchange it for a different flow if you need. Bought mine on ebay

Good suggestion, though I'm tight and will be begrudgingly have to pay more, but it's the right thing to do. Got a good relationship with my LFS so shouldn't be a problem

Just dont buy the one fishfanatic has LOL

What size is tour tank? Yeah the flow is very spread out really, to me anyway lol

Glad you ask, just been looking at them and not to sure what size to get, either the nano 900 or 1600. Tank is 200 litres, measuring 100 x 40 x 50 cm, what do you reckon?

 

[KkAaNnEe]

I have the nano, as it was going for cheap on here! My tank is 300l. The nano is good for the smallest version, it wont reach the otherside of my tank (4ft) but its good for just a general circulation help. I would probably get the one if I was buying new next time though. I just worry about too much flow sometimes, plants being pushed on their side etc. The nano is 900lph and the 1 is 1600lph, which is a little bit of a jump really, almost double..

I would say (looking at my tank right now) that the nano reaches about 20inches in front of itself and then dies out

 

[Tonyb111111]

I have the nano, as it was going for cheap on here! My tank is 300l. The nano is good for the smallest version, it wont reach the otherside of my tank (4ft) but its good for just a general circulation help. I would probably get the one if I was buying new next time though. I just worry about too much flow sometimes, plants being pushed on their side etc. The nano is 900lph and the 1 is 1600lph, which is a little bit of a jump really, almost double..

I would say (looking at my tank right now) that the nano reaches about 20inches in front of itself and then dies out

Thanks , that gives me a good insight. I think they have renamed the 1 the nano 1600? My problem I get very little flow at the front of tank and a dead spots at front middle and at the front on the same side as the filter, so I think this will sort it out. As long as all my sand doesn't end up at one end of the tank.....