Echinodoras Not Doing Too Well

[pablothebetta]

I have two species of echinodoras in my tank and neither are doing well. Unforunately I don't know what species they are other than that one is smaller than the other, as they were unlabelled when I bought them.

I have a couple of TNC root tabs under the sand substrate for them and dose daily with a micro nutrients liquid fertilizer and EasyCarbo. I believe the light is 11W and is generally on for around 12 hours a day.

Most of the leaves have an almost 'scaly' look to them with brown lines. Some leaves have brown and yellow patches on them. The pics aren't too clear, but I hope they give an idea:

Why might my plants be like this? How might I resolve the issue?

Thanks

 

[SO19Firearms]

As you're dosing Carbon you should really be adding a Complete fert that contains nitrates and phosphates, that should help sort them.

 

[ian]

they also look like emersed leaves, they need to come off really as Echinodorus's don't repair the old leaves.

 

[pablothebetta]

they also look like emersed leaves, they need to come off really as Echinodorus's don't repair the old leaves.

I've had them for over 2 months, if they need to come off why is it that they haven't come off by now, or do they not do so naturally? How can you tell when leaves are emersed?

Do you know of anywhere that doesn't sell emersed plants so I can avoid this in the future?

Thankyou for the replies

 

[ian]

all swords you buy whether they be tropica or aquafluer are grown out of water, this is why the emersed leaves all look the same and they change when they get thier submerged leaves. You can't really stop it from happening, you really have to bare with it. The leaves need to be taken off, you just need to cut them from the base of the plant. 6-8 weeks is the normal for them to start dying off.

 

[pablothebetta]

I see, thanks. I don't think I've actually noticed any new leaves or much growth since I bought them, is this normal?

 

[ian]

They will start, in a non C02 thank they can take a couple of months to get going.

 

[pablothebetta]

I do dose EasyCarbo though, does that have less of an effect than pressurised C0e?

 

[ian]

Nothing is as good as the real thing, saying that, it's still good. I do agree with Firearms though, you need to think about dosing some N and P.

 

[pablothebetta]

Ok. That can be sorted - any products you'd reccommend? I haven't been dosing them as the tank is heavily stocked so I thought they'd get enough from that.

I did a comparison of a pic of the tank now and when I first planted them - there is actually a large difference, so I guess the echinodoras have been growing, just too slow for me to easily notice. How can I tell which leaves are emersed and which are new (so I know what needs removing)? Should I get rid of the emersed leaves now or wait for them to die off a bit more and leave more time for new leaves to grow?

Thanks for the help

 

[ian]

The emersed leaves will be the original leaves on the plant, the ones on the outside of the plant. I personally wait til the leaves start showing signs of rot or melt before i take em off. If you are happy with the way things are in the tank you may get away with not dosing, but it won't hurt. As long as you keep up with your water changes. The best all in one foods are...

http/www.fluidsensoronline.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=93_70_128&products_id=404

or

http/www.fluidsensoronline.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=93_70_85_86&products_id=222

 

[pablothebetta]

Thanks for the links Will either of these products replace my current micro nutrients fert that I'm using now, or do I need to buy one and use both? Or should I buy both of them?

 

[ian]

these contain micros as well, they are a all in one. They are both the same really, the TNC one is cheaper.

 

[pablothebetta]

I see. Will look into the TNC thankyou