Melon Sword Getting Transparent Leaves

HI I bought a melon sword about two weeks ago, the leaves are turning transparent and not looking very healthy.Its obviously some nutrient deficiency. My root tabs are supposed to arrive today I’m currently not using any ferts. Are the root tabs going to be enough? I’ve read that melon sword plants needs a lot of iron do the osmocote plus tabs contain enough? My lights are on 9 hrs - it a aquoen full spectrum 17w t8 24 in. Is that enough light?
Most of the leaves are showing signs of this. Could I cut it of at the base. Thanks

 

That plant is a root feeder so you need either root tabs or dirted substrate.
how is it planted right now? it need iron for the color to be redish

 

Root tabs will help this plan tremendously. Iron is not needed. It is if you want it to get super red. You also need really high lighting for it to get really red. High lighting and iron.

BUT this plant also does perfectly fine in lower/medium lighting. It just will stay more green. The new leaves will be red and they will fade to a greener color.

To me, those leaves look like leaves that were grown when the plant was emersed (above water) so they are not handling the transition to underwater living. Have you seen any new leaves grow in since you got it? Or are those all the original leaves?

I am sure the root tabs will help.

 

That plant is a root feeder so you need either root tabs or dirted substrate.
how is it planted right now? it need iron for the color to be redish

I only have gravel substrate, I think it’s medium size I’ll include a picture

Root tabs will help this plan tremendously. Iron is not needed. It is if you want it to get super red. You also need really high lighting for it to get really red. High lighting and iron.

BUT this plant also does perfectly fine in lower/medium lighting. It just will stay more green. The new leaves will be red and they will fade to a greener color.

To me, those leaves look like leaves that were grown when the plant was emersed (above water) so they are not handling the transition to underwater living. Have you seen any new leaves grow in since you got it? Or are those all the original leaves?

I am sure the root tabs will help.

Those are all original leaves. I got the plant from petsmart but the had it under water so I assumed it was fully aquatic

How long do you think I will take for the root tabs to work?
Do you think my lighting is high enough? I’m planning on adding some more...

 

I only have gravel substrate, I think it’s medium size I’ll include a picture View attachment 418523

It probably is not getting little to nothing nutrients on the gravel substrate especially if you haven't added any root tabs on it

 

Those are all original leaves. I got the plant from petsmart but the had it under water so I assumed it was fully aquatic

it is fully aquatic, there are just a lot of aquatic plants that are originally grown emersed, or partially emersed. The fish store doesn't grow them, they buy them and put them in their tanks.

After a couple weeks I would think you should at least see one or two new leaves popping up. Even without a root tab.

But yes, the first step is to get root tabs in there. How fast they will "work" ....I do not know.

 

I’ll give it one or two ASAP... would two be enough

 

I’ll give it one or two ASAP... would two be enough

One, placed right under the roots, should be plenty.

 

The plant is going through an adjustment period. It's not used to the water and thus the leaves will melt. It's normal. Give it a few weeks and it will grow new leaves.

 

Would it be a good idea to trim the transparent leaves off or shouldn’t I trim around now?

 

Would it be a good idea to trim the transparent leaves off or shouldn’t I trim around now?

I'll just leave it for now and trim it when you see new growth

 

Thank you all