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Hi all,

Two of my Amazon Swords are getting brown markings on some of the leaves. It started as small spots, but has developed into more like smudges now. I have only had them in the tank (new tank) for about 3 weeks, but they have grown considerably in that time. Should I try buying some sort of drops or fertiliser? Any suggestions?

Many thanks,
Keith.

Is it in the old leaves or new leaves. I am gueesing it is in the old leaves. Swordplants are grown emmersed(above water). When the plant is placed underwater(submerged) the old leaves cannot adapt. They will die. This is natural and nothing to worry about.

if you dont already have some sort of fertalizer its a good Idea... that being said swords tend to be hardy and dont need it per say.... but do be careful buying fertalizer if you have sensative fish or inverts. they dont like some ingredients!

I would also like to say that swordplants are heavy root feeders. You can get a special substrate that has iron in it or root tabs. They last for a few months. I use them and they work great. Like i said though, it is probably just the emersed leaves dieing off.

It could be several things.
Water parameters not suitable.
Substrate not deep enough
Incorrect substrate "Sand"
Lack of feeding substrate for the roots and a liquid fert.
Correct lighting and hrs it is on

These are a few things that come to mind and all will effect plant growth.

Finally were they a healthy plant when you got them and did you plant them with out damaging their roots.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

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Hi,
Here is a site that will assist you in translating what
your plants are telling you:

http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_nutrient.htm

What we don't know is if your tank is as new as the plants
are. If so, then you should probably use something like
Jobes Plant Stix, or Tetramin Plant Tabs and insert a
couple of them within 2 inches of the plant roots.
As was mentioned Amazon Sword Plants are "heavy root
feeders." That is, they get much of their nutrients
through a quite extensive root system rather than out of
the water column.

Additionally, any plant, especially the type that the
Swords are, need to acclimate to their new locations.
When up rooted, the finer roots are broken off, and when
replanted, more are as well. The plant has to divert its
energy into growing new roots. It does this at the expense
of the older more fully developed leaves. They will brown
or yellow and die off as the plant reestablishes itself
in the new substrate, and at the same time it will also
begin to grow new, replacement leaves.

So, with new plants, it could simply be acclimatizing.
With new plants, in a new tank, it could need fertilizers
such as the sticks or tablets.
With new plants, in an old tank, it could have
exhausted the area around itself of nutrients and
need sticks or tablets.

Frank


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