What seems to be the problem?

[sylros]

Hi,

I've wanting to ask you about this problem with my amazon sword. This happened after coming back from vacation in January. Originally I though it was the lack of fertz pellets being used up, but I've since replaced them but it's still happening.

and I'm finding that the leaves of this plant are now much smaller than when I first got it. I'm also dosing with excel and flourish.

[jetstream]

High chance the cause is N or K deficiency. Once the old leaves are damaged, even if you corrected the problem. The leaves won't be able to grow back. Just trim the old damaged leaves off and let the plant saves the energy for new grow.  Just my $0.02 and of course there are other possible causes too. Cheers!

Made a typo error should be K instead of P! Corrected! 

[androo303]

Same thing happened to my swords... Since I trimmed back the old leaves and upped my dozing regime of dry ferts, problem was solved...

Now I just need to upgrade my paintball co2 to somethig a little more professional and we'll be set.

[exv152]

Agree with both suggestions above. It appears to be more of a nutrient deficiency rather than a disease. Increase micro and macro nutrients and trim the dead leaves. New growth should be healthy.

[fischkopp]

Just to throw in another possibility, since all the other plants seem fine: Do you have any plecos like bushynose? They don't despise swords if they get hungry.

[sylros]

Thanks! I thought is was a deficiency of some sort but don't know which one. The old leaves were trimmed off, and although new leaves keep sprouting, they are not nearly as big as the others...Usually when a plant doesn't get big, it either due to not enough light or there's not enough room...my substrate is at least 4 inches.

Where can I get this K or potassium? All I have to dose is micro nutrients to my knowledge...Excel and Flourish comprehensive.

[sylros]

Just to throw in another possibility, since all the other plants seem fine: Do you have any plecos like bushynose? They don't despise swords if they get hungry.

I have one bushynose and did catch him on one of the leaves the other day...but I have been giving him some algae pellet albeit irregularly but when I do, holly cow, a whole war breaks out between the siamese algae eaters, the weather loaches and pushes the BN away...

[exv152]

Thanks! I thought is was a deficiency of some sort but don't know which one. The old leaves were trimmed off, and although new leaves keep sprouting, they are not nearly as big as the others...Usually when a plant doesn't get big, it either due to not enough light or there's not enough room...my substrate is at least 4 inches.

Where can I get this K or potassium? All I have to dose is micro nutrients to my knowledge...Excel and Flourish comprehensive.

The issue with just dosing one nutrient is it's just guess work since many deficiencies show similar or identical deficiency symptoms. You're better off dosing all three macro nutrients N,P and K.  Try some dry ferts because they're way cheaper.

[jetstream]

If you dose KNO3 or flourish according to the instruction, you should have enough K or N under regular lighting condition. Sword plant is root feeder, will be more efficient to use root tabs.

Of the new leaves happened smaller or compact, one of the possible reasons is because you dose Excel.  Excel is an organic form of carbon. Plant grows under high carbon environment (if you overdose than suggested) could grow towards emersed form. The leaves could be more compact or even the shape will look different from the submersed form just like when you bought them from the fish store.

[sylros]

If you dose KNO3 or flourish according to the instruction, you should have enough K or N under regular lighting condition. Sword plant is root feeder, will be more efficient to use root tabs.

Of the new leaves happened smaller or compact, one of the possible reasons is because you dose Excel.  Excel is an organic form of carbon. Plant grows under high carbon environment (if you overdose than suggested) could grow towards emersed form. The leaves could be more compact or even the shape will look different from the submersed form just like when you bought them from the fish store.

That's really good to know about Excel...Is that why it says to not overdose? Dry ferts...where do I get those and what should I get?...I do use root tabs every 2-2.5 months they get replenished. My substrate is ordinary rocks, the smaller ones, and then sand on top. So, there's no nutrients in there. I'm starting to wonder if that would make a difference...even with all the fertz.

[touchofsky]

I don't think it is a substrate problem.  I think it is a fertilizing problem, too.  I have 4 tanks with swords in them, and have only had this problem in one tank.  It is the tank that I tend to forget to fertilize.  When I first had the problem, I did give a dose of fertilizer and it corrected the problem with the new leaves.

You can get dry fertilizer from B&B Hydroponics in Ottawa, but be sure to call ahead and ask if they have what you want on hand.  Otherwise, you can go the mail order route and use Canadian Aquatics.

[charlie]

I`ll say this is a good subject for today`s meet, a bunch of plant heads seeing the plant in question & trouble shooting together. Nothing beats first hand viewing & trouble shooting

[sylros]

I`ll say this is a good subject for today`s meet, a bunch of plant heads seeing the plant in question & trouble shooting together. Nothing beats first hand viewing & trouble shooting

That is what I'm hoping for!  Finally the day has arrived! See u soon!

[sylros]

I don't think it is a substrate problem.  I think it is a fertilizing problem, too.  I have 4 tanks with swords in them, and have only had this problem in one tank.  It is the tank that I tend to forget to fertilize.  When I first had the problem, I did give a dose of fertilizer and it corrected the problem with the new leaves.

You can get dry fertilizer from B&B Hydroponics in Ottawa, but be sure to call ahead and ask if they have what you want on hand.  Otherwise, you can go the mail order route and use Canadian Aquatics.

Thanks a million! See you this afternoon as you'll see for yourself!

[exv152]

That's really good to know about Excel...Is that why it says to not overdose? Dry ferts...where do I get those and what should I get?...I do use root tabs every 2-2.5 months they get replenished. My substrate is ordinary rocks, the smaller ones, and then sand on top. So, there's no nutrients in there. I'm starting to wonder if that would make a difference...even with all the fertz.

From your picture it appears you have different kinds of plants, both stems and rosettes, so both kinds of fertilizers would benefit your plants. The faster growing stems will deplete the water column leaving less available for the slower growing plants, which is probably most likely why your swords are showing signs of nutrient deficiencies.  That and the algae in your pic is another giveaway that nutrient deficiencies are an issue in your setup. There's no doubt a nutrient rich substrate would be better for all your plants, but it's not an absolute necessity if you're running a low-tech setup.

I don't think it is a substrate problem.  I think it is a fertilizing problem, too.  I have 4 tanks with swords in them, and have only had this problem in one tank.  It is the tank that I tend to forget to fertilize.  When I first had the problem, I did give a dose of fertilizer and it corrected the problem with the new leaves.
You can get dry fertilizer from B&B Hydroponics in Ottawa, but be sure to call ahead and ask if they have what you want on hand.  Otherwise, you can go the mail order route and use Canadian Aquatics.

Not to mention, dry ferts are much much cheaper and last 10 times longer, especially if you're dosing for a low-tech setup.