FishProfiles.com Message Forums

i recently swapped out my substrates to 100% eco-complete, and dosing co2 as well. the tank has

3.8wpg
11kh
7.4pH

no substrate fert, but liquid fert once a week or so.

and lately the vals are turning this reddish/yellowish colors (some are near the tips, some are near the base, and some are just in the middle of the leaf) only a couple stems so far, but i dont want this to expand, anybody know what the problem is? maybe they are in shock because of re-planting?? or is because tank temperature is kinda high because it is summer time now? about 82F?? or could it be my filter carbon absorbing the nutrients??

ps. a side question, i read an arguement about this, but should i trim the tip of the vals when they get kinda long or dying?

Last edited by greenfootball at 24-May-2005 08:30

Hi,
A series of things could be occuring.
First, any time you uproot a plant and then replant it
either in a new tank, new substrate, or simply on the other
side of the tank, you disrupt the process by which the plant
takes up nutrients and grows. You damage the very fine roots
and the plant will go into a period of time where it
consumes stored nutrients while it regrows new roots and
gets acclimated to its new substrate.

In your case the plants not only were uprooted, but they
were placed in an entirely new substrate.
Second, Vals take up most of their nutrients throught their
roots. Dosing liquid fertilizers to them will not
contribute that much to their recovery or growth. Since
you used EchoComplete, which is supposed to be a plant
friendly substrate, you may not need to do anything, or,
you may want to try adding a plant tablet fertilizer.
They come in tablet or stick form. If you use the tablets
use the small ones. If you use sticks, snip them into 1/4s.
In either case, push the tablet or stick into the gravel
near the plant roots and leave it there. In severe cases
folks will put a portion of the stick at each compass point
around each plant. I don't think yours are at that point.

Plants "tell" us when they are sick, dying, or lacking in
some nutrients by their coloration. Here is a site to help
you "listen" to your plants:
http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_nutrient.htm

Finally, in answer to your last question, any plant that
grows like the val, grows from the inside out. So to trim
that plant you remove the outer leaf. Use a pair of sharp
scissors to snip off the dead/dying/affected leaf leaving
about a 1/2 inch at the base or crown of the plant
where the green normally tends to the white color.

Frank


Last edited by FRANK at 24-May-2005 09:50

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

IME with vals, the reddish coloring near the tips is caused when you trim them along the leaf rather than at the base of the plant as FRANK suggested. If you trim higher along the leaf, the entire leaf will die.

---

Back in the saddle!

i trimmed them the wrong way about a month ago, that could be why i suppose. now the new leaves are totally red, its kinda scaring me

it could be that when you thought you had jungle vals you really had marbled vals, which look similar to jungle vals except they can develop red tones on the leaves.

IME marbled vals get reddish in coloration if they are in an environment they like, especially under higher wattages and sufficient nutrients. I have seen the old leaves get pinkish in colour and the new leaves be a darker reddish colour. and i have also seen them have entirely green leaves as well.

My guess is probably that they like their new substrate, and have enough nutrients to produce more red pigments. I don't think there is anything to worry about, unless of course the leaves are turning see through or something.

Last edited by Megil Tel'Zeke at 30-May-2005 11:06

that sounds good to me