djbrist

Hey guys, my 30 gal long had lovely surface leaves from banana plants, and corkscrew vals, but something developed on the surface and began to rot the stems of banana plants and only the surface touching leaves of the vals. My guess is maybe a fungus, or maybe a protein (skim?) on the surface.

There is quite a bit of surface aggitation with the powerhead, but it did become a bit stagnant with all the surface leaves.

Well I had to prune all the surface leaves, and did huge 50% w/c (espec. sucking the surface water, and skimmed with my net.) All parameters are up to date and stable.

My question is, can anyone tell me for sure what caused this and how can I prevent it from happeninig again?

Thanks, Dave

p.s. I am a member of another forum of "tanks with plants", and will try there too.

pepetj

A picture would make this easier.

Leaves that reach surface sometimes look different in color, even in texture or form than the leaves that stay underwater. I don't know of banana plant but valisneria species that I keep are prone to get algae (green, white, black) attached at surface level.

Also leaves and plant structure (in some plants) that reach surface are prone to attacks by insects and other "bugs" (e.g. algae).

There are three major parameters for plants to thrive: temperature range, lighting, dissolved levels of CO2.

On top of that: Macro and micro nutrients. Here is where GH comes into play.

Check if you are providing them adequately, improving the one(s) that is(are) in deficit will likely solve this for you.

Pepe
Santo Domingo

Fish_wise_man

What about for the people who don't have C02? I don't and my plants thrive well. Just the old leaves turn brown and die. Then I have to pick them out.