My tank keeps getting more bare

[TheWhiteOpalReiichi]

i’m not sure what to do. my tank used to be so full and pretty but all of my plants never seem to last. they all start to rot, and then just shed their leaves. (for some reason the driftwood in my tank has been rotting too). The only plants i have that have lasted are java fern but they don’t grow. they have been the same size for 2 years. i use seachem flourish and iron sometimes, but it makes my tank really really cloudy. all of my fish are in perfect condition so i don’t think it is bad quality. but here is photos over time of my tank

PH: 7.5
Chlorine: 0
Alkalinity: 180
Hardness: 0
Nitrites: 0
Nitrates: 20

 

[Passionfish]

If I may, can I ask you some questions to get a better understanding?
What kind of fish do you have in there?
How much fish do you have in there?
Are you adding fertilizer or have a CO2 system?
What kind of light are you using?
If you could answer these questions, it would be very helpful in determining what is wrong with your plants.
Also, using seachem and iron inconsistently isn't really contributing to plant life. Here's an example: if you eat stale bread for three meals a day and don't get any nutrition, but once in a while you get a steak dinner, it won't help you much at all, because you'll be back to not getting any nutrition in 12 hours or so.

 

[kansas]

I've heard that Seachem products are complicated to use. My guru suggests an all in one, Thrive liquid and root tabs. I use these in my tank with sand for a substrate, and crypts, vals, and floaters all do well for me,

 

[ruud]

Plants look healthy in general though. I see some yellow parts on, what seems, mature leaves....perhaps you lack nitrates.

In general, I first and foremost question water movement. Ideally, all leaves move a tiny bit.

Any reason why you add extra iron?

In general have a bottle of micronutrients (possibly with addition of calcium and magnesium) and think how you could dose nitrates, phosphates and potassium. The first two are made available through waste and decomposing materials, but depending on your tank, perhaps not in sufficient quantities. Potassium can be supplemented with a bottle of K.

This serves most planted tanks without CO2 (assuming on basis of the images, you don't inject this).

 

[TheWhiteOpalReiichi]

If I may, can I ask you some questions to get a better understanding?
What kind of fish do you have in there?
How much fish do you have in there?
Are you adding fertilizer or have a CO2 system?
What kind of light are you using?
If you could answer these questions, it would be very helpful in determining what is wrong with your plants.
Also, using seachem and iron inconsistently isn't really contributing to plant life. Here's an example: if you eat stale bread for three meals a day and don't get any nutrition, but once in a while you get a steak dinner, it won't help you much at all, because you'll be back to not getting any nutrition in 12 hours or so.

What kind of fish do you have in there?
i have cherry barbs, a betta, amano and ghost shrimp, and zebra loaches

How much fish do you have in there?
5 barbs
1 betta
about 6 shrimp
2 loaches

Are you adding fertilizer or have a CO2 system?
fertilizer, no Co2 canisters

What kind of light are you using?
AQUEON (day light) max led

I've heard that Seachem products are complicated to use. My guru suggests an all in one, Thrive liquid and root tabs. I use these in my tank with sand for a substrate, and crypts, vals, and floaters all do well for me,

Plants look healthy in general though. I see some yellow parts on, what seems, mature leaves....perhaps you lack nitrates.

In general, I first and foremost question water movement. Ideally, all leaves move a tiny bit.

Any reason why you add extra iron?

In general have a bottle of micronutrients (possibly with addition of calcium and magnesium) and think how you could dose nitrates, phosphates and potassium. The first two are made available through waste and decomposing materials, but depending on your tank, perhaps not in sufficient quantities. Potassium can be supplemented with a bottle of K.

This serves most planted tanks without CO2 (assuming on basis of the images, you don't inject this).

honestly, i’m not sure why i add iron- i just thought it would benefit the plants. and thanks for the information !

 

[PBateman]

Co2 would help maintain robust growth. Its like the most important thing for plants