FishProfiles.com Message Forums

My ludwigia repens lose leaves frequently. They're always floating around or stuck to the filter intake. One is completely bare minus a few leaves. I read they lose bottom leaves normally, but this seems excessive. I think maybe the one is in the Danios' flight path and is just getting hammered. I have another by the airstone and it isn't losing as much though. Any ideas?

Amonnia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: .25 ppm (down from between 2-5 last week)
Nitrate: 0 ppm
PH : 7.6
Temp : 76F
Fish : 4 Very happy Danios

Also my Echinodorus paniculatus has a few leaves covered in what looks like rust. What is this? I pruned most of them off but now it's on some other leaves. Could it be brown algae?

Saint Paul, Minnesota USA 20g Freshwater Started June 10th 2008
-> Tank Info In Profile <-

Lighting is very important for plants; what lighting do you have on your tank? Might be able to answer better knowing that.

I've heard brown algae can be caused by not enough light.

--------------------------------------------
The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

15W Hg

Guess that could be stronger.

Saint Paul, Minnesota USA 20g Freshwater Started June 10th 2008
-> Tank Info In Profile <-

Hi,
Yup, light is your problem.
Here is a site for that specific plant;

http://www.birstall.co.uk/products/wnr214.html

You are currently running about 3/4 of a watt per gallon
on that tank and for the plant to maintain or turn back
to red, you will need around 2.5 watts/gallon.

Right now with your current lighting you should be sticking
with low light plants and even then, some of them would not
thrive.

Frank

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

I adopted two otocinclus and most of the rust looking stuff has been devoured from the plants.

I'd have to get a new cover to upgrade the bulb so I will live with the very long stemmed ludwigia repens with only leaves on the top.

Thanks for the info.

Saint Paul, Minnesota USA 20g Freshwater Started June 10th 2008
-> Tank Info In Profile <-

Hi,
The brown looking "stuff" is probably an outbreak of
diatoms. This generally happens in newly setup tanks
due to an excess of silica (new gravel). Another
cause can be and excess of silica coupled with low light.
Water changes, gravel vacuuming, and increased light will
eliminate the causes. Or, you can purchase some "Ottos"
as they love the stuff.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--