Yellow leaves on swords and anubias

[Cossack1977]

Help
Starting my tank up from scratch again.
My swords and anubias are getting yellow transparent leaves and dying.

Substrate: gravel.
Temp: 25 deg c
Size:75 gallon

pls ask questions and i will answer them asap

i dont want to lose any. all other plants doing really well

 

[spottedbovine]

Are you adding nute/fert, I know with sword you should put root tabs under the roots as they feed from the roots ( I don't though ) I do however add liquid nute to the tank on a weekly basis, can't remember exactly but yellowing new leaves are from a lack of a certain micro nutrient ( search for info on hydroponics and you should find lots on nute deficiencies.............hope this helps. ps if you do add fert use one specifically for aquariums, if you use another type make sure it has no nitrate or potasium (I could be wrong about the potasium, bit late and not thinking properly at the mo, but it does start with a p, and it promotes algae growth), is there enough lighting?

 

[clutterydrawer]

it's phosphate i think, that promotes algae growth. i dont know what potassium does though. i had a feeling it was a Good Thing but someone please correct me if im wrong!

 

[endparenthesis]

I've read yellowing indicates an iron deficiency.

What's your lighting? If there isn't enough of that nothing will help.

 

[Cossack1977]

lighting
2 x 48" powerglow 40 watt
1 x 48" lifeglow 40 watt

adding liquid fertilizer

sera: florena
and also leafzone

5 ml of each every 3rd day

75 galon tank heavily planted

 

[sinistral]

Sounds like iron to me too, although at 120 watts you have 1.6 wpg of light. Some swords and anubias can do well with that low level, but that might be part of the problem.

What other plants are in the tank?

 

[Rose]

Those two brands of ferts aren't all that great as far as adding the iron those plants need. I would suggest Seachems Iron Fert. I would also up the lighting ASAP. Most swords need more lighting that that. Try to get 2.5-3 watts per gallon and see if that'll help.

Rose

 

[Cossack1977]

unfortunatly got no way of getting more light into tank.
have got a jebo r3126 with an intergrated good that has 3 x 4ft tubes cant fit any more


help

 

[Lateral Line]

Most Anubias species will almost grow in the dark. Swords again, are pretty adept at lower light levels such as this, they will not be at their best, but most will survive. I think it is more likely the Iron problem then lack of light.

If your hood has no reflectors in it, you might try to find something. That will increase the apparent light available to your plants. Also remember that fluorescent lamps get dimmer with age, if your lamps are a year old, you should replace them - you'll be suprised how much difference that can make.

 

[Cossack1977]

light tubes are about 6 weeks old
more light that will be a hard one

 

[Cossack1977]

What's the easiest way to get iron into a fish tank.
Im happy with my other fertilizers but want to get just some type if iron fertilizer.
Im in Australia so not all brands are available good i get something from say a hydroponics store.

 

[Cossack1977]

will this help with the light requirement.

what if i hang on the front of the tank 2 48" 40 watt fluros during work hours. This would take it to a total of 5 40 watt fluros equal to 200 watt.
That would be from 7:00am - 6:00pm. i would then take it off when im home. so back to 3 40watt fluros from 6-8.

Would this help with the plant growth

 

[Stryker]

Before you start trying to light your tank up like the landing scene out of "close encounters"..... how deep is your tank. The larger tanks are usually deeper hence more watts needed to reach the plants..... that is one of the reasons the general guide of 4 watts per gallon comes from.

 

[Cossack1977]

18" deep

 

[Cossack1977]

ended up buying yates chelated iron

analysis:
iron(Fe) as iron sodiul 12.0%
Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetic Acid
(Na Fe E.D.T.A)

Will this work?

how much do i put in?

can i overdose if there are no fish in there?