My Plants Are Turning Brown

[thiqqfish]

I have had quite a few plants in the past. When I first got my aquarium, my plants were doing great. My amazon sword was flourishing. I use API leaf zone for my plants, and I dose 5mm weekly. But after about 3-4 months of having my tank, my plants were starting to die. All of mine keep dying now. I have a few hypothesis.

1-My lights have lost their spectrum after a while and my plants don't get the right spectrum of light. If that is the case I know which light I'm going to get(). But I don't know what to use to get a see through lid because I have a cat.
2-My plants get too much light. I turn them on when I wake up, and turn them off when I go to bed. I'm thinking of putting them on a timer for 10:00am-8:00pm.
3-Something is wrong with my water.

Any and all help and inquiries are appreciated!

 

[Dennis57]

What size tank do you have?

Yes, you will need a new light. Fluval Spectrum 3.0, Vivagrow and Finnex Planted+ 24/7 HLC are all good lights.

6-10 hours is all you need depending on the type of plants you have and how many you have.

What are the parameters of your water?

Also can you post some pictures?

 

[rskogl2]

I have had similar issues. I am not sure if you have the same problem but my LFS told me a lot of aquarium plants are grown out of water and basically die in about 2-3 months but may grow back albeit a lot smaller. Also, what Livestock (the fish you say you have in your profile are mostly schooling fish and 10 gallon is too small for them).

 

[StarGirl]

API leafzone is a very basic fert. It only contains iron and potassium. You need something better. Look up some all in one ferts. Thrive C and aquarium co op easy green are 2 good ones. Bad thing is you can't buy them at stores usually.

 

[Dennis57]

You can buy a all in 1 fert from Amazon. Niloc Thrive C cost is $25.99. Will last a long time

 

[rskogl2]

Also, this is a good read. Nutrient Deficiencies: Why Your Aquarium Plants Are Dying

 

[Rcslade124]

Did you ever raise the amount of leaf zone you used? Have to take into consideration that as your plants grow they need more fertilizer

 

[thiqqfish]

Also, this is a good read. Nutrient Deficiencies: Why Your Aquarium Plants Are Dying

After reading that according to the article it is a potassium deficiency, and a phosphate deficiency. Thanks!

Did you ever raise the amount of leaf zone you used? Have to take into consideration that as your plants grow they need more fertilizer

I'll take that into consideration. I'll start dosing 8ml instead of 5ml.

 

[toeknee]

Agreed with StarGirl15 . LeafZone doesn't provide anywhere near all the ferts your plants need. You may also want to consider root tabs. NilocG to feed the leaves, some root tabs to feed the roots and maybe a new light depending on which one you have now and you should on the way to healthier plants.

 

[thiqqfish]

Agreed with StarGirl15 . LeafZone doesn't provide anywhere near all the ferts your plants need. You may also want to consider root tabs. NilocG to feed the leaves, some root tabs to feed the roots and maybe a new light depending on which one you have now and you should on the way to healthier plants.

Thanks!

What size tank do you have?

Yes, you will need a new light. Fluval Spectrum 3.0, Vivagrow and Finnex Planted+ 24/7 HLC are all good lights.

6-10 hours is all you need depending on the type of plants you have and how many you have.

What are the parameters of your water?

Also can you post some pictures?

I have a 10 gallon fish tank with tetras. I don't really know my water hardness but my temperature is 75 degrees farenheit, and my ph is around 7.8. It is on the high side. It has been that high forever so I don't think it is that. I can't figure out how to get photos right now as I am on a laptop.