Sudden Plant Deaths

[Splatter]

Hey all

About two weeks ago all my plants began to start dying very slowly - I'd only really noticed when all of my hygrophilla began to fall appart and just left stalks, at the time I put it down the alaecide and went ot get some new plants a week later as I saw my other plants weren't doing as well as they were - Once again I thought this was the alaecide.

Anyway, I bought the new plants a week ago and sitting here now every single one is either dead, or in the process of dying...And I don't understand why. Three weeks ago all my plants were absolutely flourishing in my tank (A 71 litre) especially after I put in some fertaliser.

If it's any help, I have about 30 watts of light in my tank (one Flora-GRO tube and a Power-GLO) and there is no algae or fish that eat the plants. I'm starting to think the water is too hard and that is causing the deaths, but I don't know...

Does anyone know what I should do or what's wrong?

Thanks!
Splatter

 

[freshwaterfishlover]

Add Iron and Plants will shhot up. Also add Co2 that will help too.

 

[Splatter]

Okay thanks Would I be able to get iron in an aquatics shop?

 

[rockerBOO]

Yes,

I am not sure what they have available in your area, but it might look like this.

 

[Splatter]

Okies, I shall look for something resembling that when I go to the aquatics shop tommorow

Would you say that my aquarium is suffering only from lack of iron? Or would you say there are other things too? (Sorry for all the questions)

 

[rockerBOO]

Um, it is possible you could need some more elements, but iron will help, also

would help as well. This adds all the little elements that help plants grow.

 

[Splatter]

Okay, so I'm looking to buy iron and trace elements?

Thanks very much! I'll have to get some water tests done there at the same time, but hopefully I can get everything

 

[nry]

Adding iron to fix this situation is perchance a slight step in the dark? I wonder if the algaecide is still hanging around in the tank, it can affect plants aswell as algae, hence most people on here would probably suggest you never use the stuff - it does not solve the root cause of the algae which can often re-appear if you don't fix the reasons why it appeared in the first place.

Personally, if you are adding a general purpose liquid fertiliser, enough nutrients will be present, iron included - possibly high light and CO2 may increase the need for iron, but it also increases the demand for everything else too so just adding more iron may not be sufficient.

How long has the algaecide been in the tank and what water changes have you performed since? How large (gallons) is your tank and how long are your lights on for? How long has the tank been set up for?