Please help me!!!!

[maxxximus87]

I have always wanted a planted tank, but never had much luck. I went to the LFS and asked around the guy sold me 2 amazon swords and a grow light(i can't remember exactly what light i bought but it was maybe 20 something dollars) I also bought some stuff called laterite. I put the laterite in got the plants goin. They looked good for a couple of weeks and now everytime the leaves reach or get close to full size they die. There is a lot of new growth on it constantly. New leaves are always coming in they just die before they reach full size. What am i missing? i asked if i need some form of CO2 and i was told i wouldn't. If i do need it what is the cheapest set up? heres a pic

 

[maxxximus87]

No one here can help me out?

 

[Deaths Sting]

whats ur lighting and substrate?

are u using root tabs?

are u dosing ferts?

are there fish?

tank size?

ur plants are melting; its a form of a deficiency, i don't know what...yet.. once u answer the questions i will be able to give u more information.

for now i would prune the plants. the melting part will not recover but, the plant will regenerate after u have pruned it. that is if u solve ur deficiency problem.

 

[Miguel4u2]

Yes you need Co2 which fish can provide but since you have no fish then you will need some from another source. I recommend you buy some guppies or small fish

 

[toolbox31]

Some aquatic plants get there nutrients through their leaves and others through their roots. I believe swords are the later so if you have a deficiency I'd start with the substrate.

 

[Deaths Sting]

Some aquatic plants get there nutrients through their leaves and others through their roots. I believe swords are the later so if you have a deficiency I'd start with the substrate.

+1

u hit the big point!

im still waiting for the reply on the substrate...

 

[maxxximus87]

i bought this fertilizer called laterite it's in the substrate(sand). I put a layer of it on the bottom and then let it mix in with the rest of the substrate(like the directions stated). There are fish: 4 blue rams,2 pearl gouramis, and a zamora cat.

The light is called "FLORA SUN max plant growth" 5000k high intensity lamp with peak emissions in the blue in red. its 18".

- ferts? liquid fertilizer? nope none. I'm sorry im knew at this.
-no root tabs
-its a 30 gallon high

thank you guys for reading i appreciate this so much. I want this to work.

 

[Deaths Sting]

i bought this fertilizer called laterite it's in the substrate(sand). I put a layer of it on the bottom and then let it mix in with the rest of the substrate(like the directions stated). There are fish: 4 blue rams,2 pearl gouramis, and a zamora cat.

The light is called "FLORA SUN max plant growth" 5000k high intensity lamp with peak emissions in the blue in red. its 18".

- ferts? liquid fertilizer? nope none. I'm sorry im knew at this.
-no root tabs
-its a 30 gallon high

thank you guys for reading i appreciate this so much. I want this to work.

whats the ratio of laterite to substrate?

u don't need Co2 to grow amazon sword. it would help though...u have a bunch of fish in there so there's a little bit of Co2 being produced by those.
for what its worth a DIY Co2 reactor isn't a bad idea. it cost about 5 bucks plus u need a good airstone.

how many watts is ur light? is it fluorescent power compact? or could it T5HO?

i would recommend using root tabs since amazon sword are heavy roots feeders. ur laterite doesn't seem to be cutting it, maybe u don't have enough?.. i could be wrong however..

anyways, i would i highly recommend doing some research on ur own, perhaps reading all the stickys and checking out www.aquaticplantcentral.com

APC.com taught me most of the things i know.

however, sometimes u just got to try things out for yourself.

if u have anymore question please feel free to ask them, but remember RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!!

 

[maxxximus87]

whats the ratio of laterite to substrate?

u don't need Co2 to grow amazon sword. it would help though...u have a bunch of fish in there so there's a little bit of Co2 being produced by those.
for what its worth a DIY Co2 reactor isn't a bad idea. it cost about 5 bucks plus u need a good airstone.

how many watts is ur light? is it fluorescent power compact? or could it T5HO?

i would recommend using root tabs since amazon sword are heavy roots feeders. ur laterite doesn't seem to be cutting it, maybe u don't have enough?.. i could be wrong however..

anyways, i would i highly recommend doing some research on ur own, perhaps reading all the stickys and checking out www.aquaticplantcentral.com

APC.com taught me most of the things i know.

however, sometimes u just got to try things out for yourself.

if u have anymore question please feel free to ask them, but remember RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!!

the light is 15 watt fluorescent. From what i remember the directions on the laterite said to put in so much for each gallon. I think there is 55 ounces in it now.

Im gonna try to hook up some CO2 and get some root tabs and see what happens

 

[schaadrak]

How long have you had the plants? Did the leaves that are melting start growing in your tank, or were they already there when you purchased them? If a plant was grown above water and then submerged, the emergent growth will die off and submersed growth will grow in and replace it. This seems more likely than a nutrient deficiency to me, especially since your new growth looks so healthy.

And no, you definitely don't need CO2. It won't hurt to have it, but you'll only be wasting effort and money on it with the set-up you've got.