Brown Tips On Leaves

[lock77]

http/i1158.photobucket.com/albums/p609/lock77/IMG_20130307_130934_zpse955ff20.jpg

I have no idea what the plant is but the leaves have started to brown and twist down at the tip. Not sure if you can make it out from the dodgey pic. The tank is 110lt with playsand substrate and 2 15 watt bulbs, 1 bulb is labelled dayglo and the other warmlite. I'm not using co2 or any ferts. I also have crypts and java moss in the same tank and they are growing great. Any ideas why this plant is doing this? I'm hoping it may be the light, I don't fancy messing around with co2.

 

[SLIM]

Looks like diatoms to me. Does your tank suffer from diatoms or have you recently had an ammonia spike?

 

[lock77]

No spike. Ive had what I would call diatoms before but it just wiped off. This other stuff doesnt . I've just had a good look and the new leaves seem to be clear.

 

[SO19Firearms]

I'm not using co2 or any ferts.

 
Your fish would curl up at the ends if you didn't feed them either

 

[lock77]

I'm not using co2 or any ferts.

 
Your fish would curl up at the ends if you didn't feed them either

I was told that I didn't need ferts or co2 in a low light tank and that my plants should do alright with fish poo.

 

[SO19Firearms]

The plants are telling you different. But I'd start with ferts before looking in to CO2 if you're not keen.
If they're new, there's a chance they're melting to adjust to your conditions, but it sounds more ferts than CO2 to me

 

[lock77]

The plants are telling you different. But I'd start with ferts before looking in to CO2 if you're not keen.
If they're new, there's a chance they're melting to adjust to your conditions, but it sounds more ferts than CO2 to me

I've had the plants about 9 months but moved them to different tank 2 months ago. Would liquid ferts do the job?

 

[frapadoodle]

Look like swords to me, but could be wrong.
I don't use co2, yet, but use Flourish. I have swords and they are heavy feeders. And your other plants wouldn't mind.

 

[SO19Firearms]

The plants are telling you different. But I'd start with ferts before looking in to CO2 if you're not keen.
If they're new, there's a chance they're melting to adjust to your conditions, but it sounds more ferts than CO2 to me

I've had the plants about 9 months but moved them to different tank 2 months ago. Would liquid ferts do the job?

They'd be a start. At the very least you'd get the opportunity to start ruling them out as a problem (or the lack of them I should say)

 

[lock77]

http/www.waterlife.co.uk/waterlife/tropiflora.htm

Any thoughts?

 

[lock77]

The plants are telling you different. But I'd start with ferts before looking in to CO2 if you're not keen.
If they're new, there's a chance they're melting to adjust to your conditions, but it sounds more ferts than CO2 to me

I've had the plants about 9 months but moved them to different tank 2 months ago. Would liquid ferts do the job?

They'd be a start. At the very least you'd get the opportunity to start ruling them out as a problem (or the lack of them I should say)
If you're right about ferts, which I hope you are. Will the leaves recover or would they need plucked?

Looks like diatoms to me. Does your tank suffer from diatoms or have you recently had an ammonia spike?

What ferts do you use?

 

[SLIM]

If it is indeed a deficiency dosing ferts will definately help and hopefully solve your problem.
The damaged leaves will need trimming unfortunately they wont recover.
Dosing ferts is always a good idea even in low techs with "easy" plants such as Java ferns mosses crypts and anubias.

I dose micros macros and easycarb.
I also make my own ferts with dry salts which is the most cost effective and effective way of dosing imo because you have full control of what going in your water.

Micros (Trace Elements) Is what you want. Its basic plant food that contains the basic ingredients plants need to thrive.
I use this...
http/www.aquariumplantfood.co.uk/fertilisers/chelated-trace.html

Its basically a brown powder. For £5 you get 250g which will last months if not a year. Not bad for a fiver huh?
Basically all you do is add to distilled water as follows
2tsp (approx 12g) of APF Trace Elements to 500 ml of boiled and cooled water. Leave to dissolve overnight.
Dose 5ml per 50ltr. of aquarium water per day

Thats it

Macros is Nitrates Phosphates Potassium and Magnesium. Your set up does not require macros right now.
Macro dosing is only needed when injecting CO2 OR dosing Easycarb.
Reason being is that plants grow alot quicker and absorb alot of these key nutrients quicker when being dosed a carbon source.
Here is a link to a macro and micro kit
http/www.aquariumplantfood.co.uk/fertilisers/ei-starter-kit.html
It will come with full instructions on mixing and dosing
This will also last for months on end

Easycarb or Florish Excel is like a liquid co2 alternative.
Not always 100% nessersary but it will do wonders for your plants.
They will grow faster and healthier than youve ever seen. Dose this daily and with the right flow you can completley out compete algae.
My tank has no algae at all!
Remember tho if you dose liquid carbon you must dose macros.
http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Easy-Life-EasyCarbo-CO2-Carbon-Plant-Fertiliser-for-Aquarium-Fish-Tank-Plants-/140921866900?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&var=&hash=item20cf990a94


Remember you dont have to make your own micros and macros like i do, you can buy them pre made, this is just how i do it as its the cheapest most cost effective way of dosing that iv found.
Their are plenty of pre made good brands out there.

Hope iv been some help

 

[lock77]

Good info Skin, even managed to answer my next couple of questions?

1 last question. Are my lights sufficent?

Thank you, great help!

 

[SLIM]

Your lights are fine mate.

 

[lock77]

Ordered trace elements, £6.95 total including p&p. Still good value. Thanks again.