prairielilly

My anubias nana in my 10g started to get a weird curling of the oldest leaves - they looked sort of 'ruffled' and then turned yellow. Those leaves also had an algae issue so I just cut them off, since then the plant's made some new leaves and all's well.

I've got a giant anubias in my 20g (maybe, it's got big leaves like 6" long lol) and the youngest leaf is starting to look 'ruffled' as well. No algae on this one (well, except the infamous diatoms) but it is getting a bit yellowish. I've been using a bit of Flourish for a week now but haven't seen any positive effects yet, I was considering trying some Excel soon. This plant's only got about four leaves and they're enormous so I'd really prefer to not cut off the leaf.

All these plants are pretty new, they're not self-attached to anything yet (tied on). My lights are on about 14h per day (gotta buy some timers...)

Can anyone tell me why this is happening, and what I can do about it?

Nate McFin

Curling leaves sounds like a calcium deficiency or possibly Boron. Are you using ferts?
There is a good list of deficiencies in a sticky on the top of the plant page.

prairielilly

I've been using Flourish, but only for about a week now (the dosing on that stuff is difficult with a tiny tank, I have to buy a dropper bottle I think). I thought maybe if I start using Excel it will allow the plants to better utilize the nutrients? I can't see my water being deficient in calcium, it's very hard (don't know the exact values) as it's sourced from a carbonate aquifer.

My crypts are also 'ruffle-y', but don't turn yellow and die; the java fern shows no effects and the java moss is growing like crazy.

lew2000

Prairielilly, i don't what light exposure the anubias have - but mine thrived in the shadow of other plants or in corners with low light exposure - not to offend if you already know this. Secondarily, as you said tap water usually contains calcium, nitrogen, etc., and of course the tank has nitrates and phosphates - since the anubias is slow growing takes very little of these nutrients. Since the flourish is providing iron, the other possibilty is lack of potassium (which can cause leaves to yellow and to ruffle of any plant, which has to be replenished regularly). As far as using excel - in a lightly planted tank, i never found a need to add additional organic carbon, C)2 does outgas obviuosly, but i found that the fish usually provided enough of this.

prairielilly

Thanks all, this is helpful

thoughts on replenishing potassium?

Nate McFin

I dose Seachems Potassium 1 x per week. I haven't noticed any change since I started using it but that might be a good thing. LOL