Whats Happening To My Plants?

[mattlee]

most of these plants were added to my tank during feb/march and growth was very good to begin with. they started to show small holes in the leaves especially on the swords and a few on the anubias. whats happening?

my tank is 60x18x24 with 2x FX5 filters, 27 degrees C, pH 7.4, quite hard water, 3 x arcadia eco-aqua LED lights (1 x tropical, 2 x daylight)

i dont add any ferts etc just let the plants grow from the nitrates etc in the water. that was the plan anyway... i have anubias, windelov and swords so all apparently ok for a low light/tech tank.

the holes have got bigger and the effected plants are past saving i think but can anyone advise me why this has happened? do i need to add ferts? CO2 levels was mentioned in another topic i started to see if the MTS were munching the leaves.

if i do need to add ferts etc, which ones and how much? please treat me as a total plant newbie as my last few tanks have been wood and rock set ups....

 

[ian]

yep that is deffo a C02 deficiency mate. I shall look up those LED's and see how high light they are.

 

[mattlee]

ok thanks Ian.

so what do i need to do?

are the plants past it?

 

[mattlee]

this description applies for both types of light apparently....


The Arcadia Eco-Aqua Daylight (32W 1147mm) offers spectacular natural colour rendition with a high (>8K) colour temperature equally suited for Freshwater or Marine aquariums. Eco-Aqua lamps blend multiple coloured LED sources to bring out the vivid iridescent colours of fish and provide far more natural colouring than other LED lamps. These lamps create light and shadow giving a dramatic 3-D look to the aquarium with far more visual impact. There are other advantages to choosing this lighting such as lower running costs and reducing your carbon footprint. Using LED technology reduces lighting energy consumption, 40% compared to the equivalent T8 lamp and ballast. This means that it will last 2-3 times longer. The longer lifespan of 50,000 hours reduces the need to change the lamp regularly. They are waterproof to IP67 and have a low voltage to further increase safety. Supplied with a 2m lead and remote mains driver. Contain no mercury. *Adaptor clips are compatible with the majority of aquariums supplied with a central T8 light unit with waterproof lamp holders. Lamp Length 1147mm (45.16)Total Power 32WFluorescent Equivalence 36WSaving 26%Watts saved 11saves 22kg of CO2 per year

 

[ian]

this is a 60" tank rather than a 60cm tank ain't it?

 

[mattlee]

yes mate 60 inch/5ft

60W x 18D x 24H

 

[ian]

that not really 'high light', but the plants tell you more than you need to know...that tank you be expensive to dose with liquid carbon. Is it happening to all the plants?

 

[mattlee]

Not all. The sword in the pic is the worst but I have a few holes appearing on some anubias too... the windelov seems to be losing lots of leaves too as they are going brown quite fast.

Me and plants just don't work.....

I have a spare eco-aqua light that I can add if this will help.

 

[tomtomtom1230]

So the question is: How do you treat a CO2 defficiency in a low-tech tank... 'Cause the minute you dose CO2, will the plants not be screaming out for more light and ferts?

 

[SO19Firearms]

So the question is: How do you treat a CO2 defficiency in a low-tech tank...

Lower the light. Make that the limiting factor to consumable uptake.

'Cause the minute you dose CO2, will the plants not be screaming out for more light and ferts?

By dosing CO2 you can take this out of the equation - this leaves in ferts and light, you get to choose which on you choose to limit... (hint: limiting nutrients leads to nutrient deficiencies)

Liebig's law

 

[DrRob]

More water changes, or increased surface agitation. Both with move CO2 towards atmospheric levels, which is not a lot, but is a fairly constant supply.

 

[mattlee]

by lowering the light do you mean the time its on or the amount of light?

im currently not dosing anything but wont adding ferts get expensive in a tank of this size?

more water changes? i already do 50%+ per week, or do you mean more frequent changes?

surface agitation is huge due to there being 2 FX5 filters on the tank.....

 

[SO19Firearms]

by lowering the light do you mean the time its on or the amount of light?

Either

im currently not dosing anything but wont adding ferts get expensive in a tank of this size?

Go E.I. or make your own

more water changes? i already do 50%+ per week, or do you mean more frequent changes?

I don't think that will help in this case

surface agitation is huge due to there being 2 FX5 filters on the tank.....

That might be the issue - Gassing off the CO2....

IMO

 

[Liam2368]

i have just bought aqua essentials own ferts and carbon, a litre each for £20 pkus delivery, i half dose on a 350 litre because i dont have all that many plants, 2 anubias, 2java fern, 1 large crypt, 1xunknown plant, bits of java moss and duck weed. that 2 litres will last me maybe 5 months so around £60 for the year, ofcourse you cam go cheaper with the dry ferts but i cannot be bothered with the hassle.

 

[FishFanatic04]

My swords are looking like the above on the edges lately, in a tank with only about .65 wpg. I was confused on the issue, after reading this, I recently added an external and haven't removed the original filter yet. Must be gasing off my co2 there. Makes sense now. Thanks!!!