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Hi everyone,
I have a question about plant growth in a newly set up aquarium. I currently have low to moderate light plants (anubias, amazon sword, pigmy sword) in a 55 gallon. The plants have been in the tank for about 2 weeks and they looked ok, but now the leaves are beginning to fade from green to a yellowish (specifically on the pigmy sword and amazon sword). I haven't seen much noticable growth except for the roots. I'm concerned that one of the vital nutrients are not present, specifically nitrogen. I initially treated with the kent Pro-Plant suppliment, but have since used the Kent Freshwater Plant Supplement to fertilize. Any ideas on what i'm doing wrong?

Tank parameters
55 gallon
1.5-2 inches of flourite
1.5 inches of gravel over the flourite
~1.5 WPG
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate slightly highter than 0ppm
GH ~50ppm
Alkalinity 40ppm
pH 6.2-6.8

10 pristella tetras been in the tank for 5 days

Hi,
Your plants are dealing with two different problems.

First, anytime you uproot plants and move them,
particularly to another tank, they will go through a period
where they have to acclimate to their new surroundings.
During the acclimation period, they consume stored
nutrients, shed old leaves, and begin to grow new roots.
It's normal for the mature leaves to yellow and die, while
replacement leaves begin to grow.

The other problem is that you have planted them in a new
tank that is not "seasoned" with months of fish waste
and mulum. The fish that you have in the tank have barely
begun to build up the nutrients that the plants will need
and the gravel, by itself is inert and has nothing but
a place to grow roots to offer.

Swords are heavy feeders, and really should not be planted
in brand new tanks. You might try pushing some fertilizer
into the gravel, near the plant roots. Try either plant
tablets, or plant sticks. Don't use the whole stick.
Instead, snip the stick in half or into quarters, and
push the pieces around the plant in the position of the
main points of the compass. For the other plants a liquid
fertilizer should help.

Do use caution. In a new tank, with a sudden over
abundance of fertilizer, any algae will take advantage of
the nutrients faster than the plants, and you could have
an outbreak of algae.

Frank


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

Thanks Frank,
I thought that the new tank was the problem. I'll run to my LFS tonight and grab some fertilizer tabs/sticks, and continue to monitor the algae and water conditions.

If you purchased the plants as "new" plants from the lfs, then you may also be seeing the plants morph from emersed leaves to immersed leaves. I would be inclined to think that some of the leaf die-off is due to this change as you indicated that you have new root growth.

Many aquarium plants are grown emersed or "feet wet and head dry". The plants grow well but the foliage is different than the foliage that the plant must have if it is immersed or wholly underwater. Most swords, some saggitaria and crypts are grown in this manner.

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

Hi Bob and Frank,
I believe that the problem was a combination of both of your suggestions. The plant tabs seemed to have helped the fading of the leaves, and they have begun their morphing to the underwater leaf shape. All are showing both leaf and root growth so i believe the problem is solved. Unfortunatly, i'm developing a brown algae outbreak. Any suggestions?

Thanks

So i've done some reading, and an outbreak of the diatomaceous "brown algae" is expected in a new tank. I should have realized this, but it slipped my mind. I'm going to let it go for a week or two and see if it gets worse. In addition, on my next water changes i'll make it a point to clean and vacuum at the same time to remove it from the tank.

Does this seem reasonable?

It seems reasonable, but diatomaceous algae can spread quickly to cover surfaces in your aquarium. The key to control imo is light. Put your hood on a timer and light your tank at least ten hours per day. Diatomaceous (brown) algae is a new tank curse.

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright