What is wrong with my plants?

[Joehays]

I have 3 amazon swords in my 55. I use plain gravel substrate, I add root tabs, and I have a spectrum light. When I first got the plants they were very green and growing fast, after about 2 months they all look like this:


Is this some kind of disease or are my plants not being taken care of correctly? Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[josolanes]

Here's a chart that I reference when I see the plants not growing well: http://www.aquatic-eden.com/2009/06/common-aquatic-plant-deficiency-diagram.html

 

[Joehays]

Great diagram, thanks. So it looks like phosphate deficiency, do you know a good way to counteract that?


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[josolanes]

I'd recommend separate ferts, either go dry ferts (search plantedtank.net for more info) or go separate liquid ferts like pfertz.com

I personally prefer separate liquid ferts (N, P, and K -> Nitrogen, Phosphate, and Potassium) as it's easier to dose but dry ferts are MUCH cheaper in the long run as liquid ferts are simply tiny amounts of dry ferts in water