Oneiroid Posted November 13, 2005 Report Share Posted November 13, 2005 Some of my plants in one tank are looking like they have been punched with holes. This damage seems to be mostly mid-plant on all that are affected. Here is an example: In the tank I have: 2 altum angels 10 rasbora hets 14 small clown loaches 3 otocinclus 2 small SAEs At a glance, it looks like snail damage, but obviously there are no snails in my tank. And I really do not think any of the inhabitants have been nibbling at the plants. So I am thinking this is some sort of nutrient deficiency? I have DIY CO2 in there, I dose with Seachem's comprehensive formula (and sometimes with iron, potassium, and/or excel), and the light is over 3 watts per gallon. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milan Posted November 13, 2005 Report Share Posted November 13, 2005 Not too sure myself, but recently I came across a thread posted on the APC by a member with a similar problem. Read HERE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oneiroid Posted November 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2005 That thread does describe the symptoms I am seeing... including melting crypts. Unfortunately, no one has posted any concrete success tactics. Maybe Epson salts, but I am suspicious that would help in my case. My tank is otherwise as healthy as healthy can be. I will play around a bit with some dosing. Will report back if I find any solutions. Thanks for the link Milan! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted November 13, 2005 Report Share Posted November 13, 2005 It's definitely a macro nutrient problem - if it isn't damage by any of your tank critters. You say you're using Seachem's line. If you're dosing enough to feed plants that have supplimental CO2 (15+ppm), you're spending A LOT of money. The recommended dosing is way too conservative IMO/IME. Since I've moved from dosing via testing to Estimative Indexing, I've had much more success. To find out more about EI check out this website. Hope this helps some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oneiroid Posted November 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2005 jvision - it looks like I need to subscribe to the Barr Report before I can view the relevant threads. Are there some key points of interest about Estimative Indexing that you can share here for everyone to see? It sounds interesting... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oneiroid Posted November 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2005 Just had another thought... if this is not a deficiency, could this be some kind of plant virus or some such? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted November 13, 2005 Report Share Posted November 13, 2005 Just had another thought... if this is not a deficiency, could this be some kind of plant virus or some such? Nah.... Hygrophyla polysperma is a huge nutrient hog - as long as the light and CO2 are there, it will absorb about any amount of NPK you can throw at it! Incidentally, I'm told it is a virus that causes it's veins to show like that... go figure! The general premise behind EI is to make sure you have adequate CO2 and lighting, then 'overdose' your ferts, doing 50% WC each week. For my 55 gal, I have 120w T6 lighting, and 2 CO2 'misters' (1 is a pressurised system pushing about .5 bubbles/sec through a powerhead, the other is a DIY sys through a powerhead at the other end of the tank). For dosing, I dose 1/4tsp KNO3 and 1/4 tsp K2PO4 every other day; and, 20mL Seachem Flourish on the off days. Each Saturday, I do the trimming and cleaning, then do a 50% WC. Plants are growing well, fish are happy, and it looks great. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted November 13, 2005 Report Share Posted November 13, 2005 BTW, I have the 2 CO2 powerheads on the timer with the lights. The CO2 mist could really drive the pH down overnight when it's not being used by the plants. A great resourse for planted tank info is the Aquatic Plants Digest - you can subscribe at www.actwin.com, or just Google Aquatic Plants Digest Here's the link for the Barr Report Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vallisneria Posted November 13, 2005 Report Share Posted November 13, 2005 I dont' know much about plant nutrient problems but I used to have hygro in my tank and my angelfish loved to nibble on it and it look exactly like your leaves do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oneiroid Posted November 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2005 Thanks Jason! This is all very good information. I think I may purchase a subscription to the Barr Report too. Incidentally, where are you purchasing your dry ferts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted November 13, 2005 Report Share Posted November 13, 2005 I bought the K2PO4 from an hydroponics store. Had to order KNO3 from Greg Watson. You already have the Seachem I used to use Tropica Master Grow for micronutrients, but DADs (now Nature's Corner) didn't have any in the last time I was there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oneiroid Posted November 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2005 I have visited Greg Watson's site before, but I never heard of anyone actually sourcing their ferts from there. Prices sure look reasonable. I'll definitely give it a shot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted November 13, 2005 Report Share Posted November 13, 2005 I think it's cheaper to get whatever you can locally - I think dry ferts are definitely the most cost effective way to go! But, like I said, they don't sell KNO3 here anymore, so I got mine from Greg Watson. I've had the 1lb bag for about a year, and there's still over 1/2 the bag left! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garhan Posted November 14, 2005 Report Share Posted November 14, 2005 The KN03 you can get west of Dad's store with other ferts at the Hydroponics shop. It is about a block west of Henry's on the southside of the street across from Vienna Bakery.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted November 14, 2005 Report Share Posted November 14, 2005 The KN03 you can get west of Dad's store with other ferts at the Hydroponics shop. It is about a block west of Henry's on the southside of the street across from Vienna Bakery Sweet!!! I was living on the North end at the time, and everywhere I went said either it wasn't good for the environment (aka stump remover), or was being used to make bombs, so they wouldn't stock it anymore Thanks Garhan! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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