Plants turning brown

[Auttie_Pie1]

I’m brand new to this hobby and I’ve had this tank running for about 2 months. Many problems have arose but I’ve found a solution each time, but today my problem is I’ve been noticing all my plants are starting to turn brown. At first I thought it was algae but I felt them and it seems to be the actual plant is turning brown. I have 2 types of plants in there and I can’t remember what exactly they are but I’m pretty sure there not supposed to turn brown. I read something about a Co2 problem but I don’t have the money right now to go and buy something else. Could plant fertilizer help? Is it even a Co2 problem? I just need some guidance.

 

[MattW]

Plants look like Schismatoglottis prietoi and Staurogyne repens.

As for them turning brown, I know you've felt them but to me, it looks like diatom algae. Although If the leaves felt mushy they are dying and something else is the cause.

 

[connorlindeman]

Yeah thats not the plants. You have diatoms. Whats your lighting setup and timing like? Do you fertilize the tank?

 

[fishorama]

I agree with staurogyne for the longer leaved 1. I'm not sure of the other, maybe glosso? In shallow tanks I've kept them both for a while with low tech lighting & ferts; no co2. How tall is you tank? What dimensions? What lighting? Ferts?

I agree it's likely diatoms. They eventually go away. For now, I would pinch/cut off the taller browner parts in pic 3 if you want them to be a ground cover like I'd hoped for. Do regular weekly water changes & wait. They don't look very unhealthy so don't panic. If lighting is very low, the plants want to stretch toward it instead of growing sideways along the substrate.

 

[Jinx_]

That's diatom algae, it used to be a pesky parasite for me in the past.

It's due to:

- Too many nutrients
- Lack of light balance (too bright)
- Lack of tank balance*
- Poor light schedule
- Uncared for properly tank

*Lack of tank balance:

Usually in new tanks, diatom algae is caused by tank cycling as algae love nitrites and ammonia and especially very high nitrates.

Or too much stock in the tank = too much waste.

My staurogyne repens, before it melted, after time it got diatoms over it. While it managed to melt away, my bacopas got diatoms as well.

I've reduced light schedule, and light brightness for a while as I let my tank mature over time. I kept up with my water changes, plants started growing in very nicely catching on. I managed to get the perfect balance: no visible algae. I've increased light schedule and brightness, and green algae only on plant leaves that are too close to the light. Anywhere else, there's no algae.

I'd suggest getting a timer for the light, and perhaps having a 1-2 hour no light window. Just for the time being, then you can cancel membership on no light periods and gradually increase light schedule. Go back to the membership if you still get diatoms. Naturally, also stay up to date on water changes and make sure to test the water. Don't dose any fertlisers yet, this will only fire up the alage into something more hellish as plants won't take much nutrients in due to them settling in.

How old is your tank?

 

[Gamegurl564]

What does go back to the membership mean?

 

[Jinx_]

What does go back to the membership mean?

Just a silly joke. Just refers to the schedule, cause you're stuck with it for while. So yeah, membership lmao