FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Hi, well first off, im not expert to fish or plants to i dont really know what to do other than the basics.
I've just got back from a 2 week holiday, and my plants (other than hornwort, which grew a bit but is dying lower down the stem) havent grown one bit, all my floating plant has died in both of my tanks(one is 125l the other 50l.)!
As i said none have grown and about 50% the plants are going brown and leaves tapering.
I cant think of what did this at all, i did 20% water changes for 3 days before i left, which i read on this site i should do to keep the water fresh. Also i added a nitrate remover sponge to the filter as the levels were a bit high.
Those 2 things are the only things i can think of that may have done it.
One of my gourami's died 2 days after i left, but i dont think that is related, my neighbour removed it the same day.
In my 125l tank i have:
1 dwarf gourami
1 fighting fish (dont worry the he gets on fine with gourami)
6 platies
3 guppys
4 tetras

In the 50l tank there is nothing currently only plants which i thought i'd leave to grow over the holidays.
Any help here would be greatly appreciated
thanks
tom