Burn-like Holes In Leaves?

[trojannemo]

hi guys. since i started my new planted tank i've seen a lot of good growth and new shoots in all the plants (and still no CO2, can't wait). but i've noticed burn-like marks and holes in the leaves of my swords. in the brazilizan swords they happen inside the leaves and ometimes on the edges...looks just like you'd imagine if you had put a lit match under it. on the melon swords it's the same, but i've also noticed the new leaves as they get big they are getting kinda curled and ruffled, rather than having the nice smooth oval shape melon sword leaves normally have.

based on the plant deficiency link i was given here by one of you guys, i believe it to be a potassium deficiency.

Potassium
Old leaves

Pinholes appear which slowly enlarge
Yellow patches
Curling leaves
Stunted growth

is that it or could it be a different nutrient?

 

[Mikaila31]

Yeah it is most likely some nutrient deficiency, if everything else is correct. I use to have that problem with my H. polysperma, the leaves closest to the gravel would get tiny holes in them and slowly die. I never could tell if it was a nutrient problem or if I was just letting them grow too dense, but since I switched over to EI I don't have that problem anymore.

I've read that swords are heavy root-feeders. I always use a nutrient rich substrate in my planted tanks, so can't really say for sure. If you are using regular gravel you could try some root tablets to see if they make any difference.

 

[trojannemo]

i'm using Eco-Complete substrate WITH SeaChem root tabs!

here's a bad picture of what i'm talking about...that's on what i ID'd as a brazilian sword:

 

[aaronnorth]

why add root tabs to the eco complete??

you need to add potassium in to the water column.

 

[trojannemo]

why add root tabs to the eco complete??

you need to add potassium in to the water column.

well i was already told i dont need the root tabs. when i first changed the substrate i got the root tabs thinking they'd be helpful too. now i know i dont need them

my dosing chart (from seachem) had me putting 5ml of Potassium 2x a week, i've already upped it to 4x a week to see if that helps.

 

[Mikaila31]

To me it just looks like the leaves have been damaged......

 

[Rlon35]

To me it just looks like the leaves have been damaged......

What kind of fish species and invertebrates are in the tank???

 

[trojannemo]

To me it just looks like the leaves have been damaged......

What kind of fish species and invertebrates are in the tank???

rainbows, angels, platy, otos, flying foxes, loach...had 3 apple snails but those were removed...

 

[Rlon35]

To me it just looks like the leaves have been damaged......

What kind of fish species and invertebrates are in the tank???

rainbows, angels, platy, otos, flying foxes, loach...had 3 apple snails but those were removed...

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

since you have been dosing potassium, I think one of your fish is the culprit, most likely the loach. The apple snailswould have been fine. My clown loaches punch holes in my anubias, which are tough plants.