Hornwort turning brown

[Pyramid_Party]

Hi,

Whats it mean when the hornwort is turning brown? It looks like its rotting, but why?

 

[sostoudt]

not enough nutrient or light?

 

[Pyramid_Party]

I think theres enough nutrients. Ive always had brown algae. But I only have stock lights.

 

[sostoudt]

I think theres enough nutrients. Ive always had brown algae. But I only have stock lights.

that may be the problem. usually people suggest 2 wpg, this rule is kinda old and may be over kill with t5 or halide, but i think you probably just have flourscent. wpg is watts per gallon.

 

[Pharaoh]

I agree, your lighting might be a little on the low side. Do you dose any ferts?

 

[Pyramid_Party]

No ferts cause I figured there was plenty. Few messy cichlids and I got a lot of phosphate and silicates in my water, been battling brown algae for almost 2 years. Tried numerous ways to get rid of it. I sorta added the hornwort to test it out.


So if you guys say its either nutrients or lighting, Im gonna lean towards lighting.

 

[msjinkzd]

What temperature is the tank? Hornwort is a bog plant, I have it flourishing in tanks with very little to no light at all. That being said, it does not like warmer temps and will often brown or melt from less than ideal conditions.

 

[Pyramid_Party]

My temp is set at 79

 

[fishbum]

Hornwort will suck up nitrates pretty quickly.Have you checked yours?
I have had the best luck with it dosing with liquid ferts.But if you worried about increasing your algae problem,that's probably not something you are willing to try.
Your not planting it in the substrate are you? That can kill it too.

 

[Pyramid_Party]

No its not planted in the substrate. It may just of been already dead to begin with. I received these kind of in bad shape. It may just be some die off before it grows back. Some of the hornwort bunch is green. Should I clip all the brown stuff off or let it rot and take care of itself?