Echinodorus / Amazon Sword Help Please

[SammyTargo]

Not long 2 hours ago did I post about my new setup and return to TFF. I bought Echinodorus “Marble Queen” a few days ago and introduced it before filling up my new community setup. There are currently 0 fish in the tank. I see them slowly but surely deteriorating, and I don’t know what to do as the last time I kept swords they did the same thing randomly after like 4 months. I figured it’s because it’s adjusting but it isn’t healing and I’m not sure what to do. I don’t have any more relevant info that I can think of, so please any help offered will be evaluated. I will attach files

 

[fishorama]

They were probably grown emersed (leaves out of the water). Those leaves will all die back slowly as it transitions to underwater leaves. Don't panic! Swords are also heavy feeders. Use a root tab fertilizer or 2 near it pushed into the substrate pretty deep. Make sure the "crown" (where leaves & roots meets) is not buried too deep. It looks like yours might be a tiny bit too deep. Gently grab all its leaf stems near the substrate & pull up just a little bit until you can see the "bump" of the crown or the very beginnings of roots. Replace the root tab ferts every 4 months & it should be good & show the variegated "Marble " pattern. Good luck!

 

[SammyTargo]

They were probably grown emersed (leaves out of the water). Those leaves will all die back slowly as it transitions to underwater leaves. Don't panic! Swords are also heavy feeders. Use a root tab fertilizer or 2 near it pushed into the substrate pretty deep. Make sure the "crown" (where leaves & roots meets) is not buried too deep. It looks like yours might be a tiny bit too deep. Gently grab all its leaf stems near the substrate & pull up just a little bit until you can see the "bump" of the crown or the very beginnings of roots. Replace the root tab ferts every 4 months & it should be good & show the variegated "Marble " pattern. Good luck!

Will do. Thanks for the help

I had just ran out of water tests as well, so I will run out to grab those + root tabs at my LFS.

I just pulled the base out a bit higher now, and will update on any further progress/problems. Keep in mind the substrate of the tank is Fluval Stratum (aquasoil) topped with sand. I had a question though, are you saying that these leaves will all die and then new ones are going to grow? The swords were kept fully submerged at the store when I got them.

 

[fishorama]

Yes, that is what I meant. It's not the lfs that grow plants emersed, it's the Florida farms or wherever they're from. But the leaves die slowly & the new leave grow slowish too. You can remove yellowing or brownish leaves when you want. They will not "heal". I try to keep at least 1 slightly longer fingernail to "pinch" off dying leaves, but you can use scissors instead. If in doubt wait a bit. It's more about happy roots to help the leaf transition.

It doesn't really matter what substrate you use, too deeply planted will have bad effects. I think you did the right thing to pull the sword up a little. Wait a couple weeks & watch for new growth down close to the substrate (ya know, by the crown Be patient, it will take at least several weeks to rebound. Swords aren't super hard to grow but getting them to the colors you want may take some tweaking. Again, patience!

 

[SammyTargo]

Yes, that is what I meant. It's not the lfs that grow plants emersed, it's the Florida farms or wherever they're from. But the leaves die slowly & the new leave grow slowish too. You can remove yellowing or brownish leaves when you want. They will not "heal". I try to keep at least 1 slightly longer fingernail to "pinch" off dying leaves, but you can use scissors instead. If in doubt wait a bit. It's more about happy roots to help the leaf transition.

It doesn't really matter what substrate you use, too deeply planted will have bad effects. I think you did the right thing to pull the sword up a little. Wait a couple weeks & watch for new growth down close to the substrate (ya know, by the crown Be patient, it will take at least several weeks to rebound. Swords aren't super hard to grow but getting them to the colors you want may take some tweaking. Again, patience!

For my crypts. They have been looking very "weak," in this new setup. Probably from adjustment. I had like 3 to begin with about 3-4 years ago and they chuted into like 20. Should I pull them out slightly as well? -or will it not matter since they aren't swords.

 

[fishorama]

Crypts are more adaptable than swords IME. But they'd like a root tab near their roots too. Some will "melt" if you look at them too long (just kidding, lol). I love crypts. my favorite plant genus! So many colors & leaf forms. Yes, pull the "crown" to just above the substrate surface. They recover fairly fast if roots are healthy but in "transition" from emersed growth or just very different water their leaves may turn to mush. No big deal, wait out the rebound, they'll grow & spread via short offshoots. Slow & sweet, easy to control if needed.

 

[anewbie]

swords prefer very soft water to do best; crypts depends on the specific species as some require soft water; others require hard water and some are fairly flexible.

 

[GaryE]

I find almost every plant I get from the big box stores dies back, but with patience, they return. I see you're in Toronto, and that city has several aquarium clubs. I would check them out as they're where you're going to get plants (in auctions) that have been grown fully submerged and won't need a transition period. Plus you'll meet some good people - thee are good aquarists in the Greater Toronto region.

 

[SammyTargo]

swords prefer very soft water to do best; crypts depends on the specific species as some require soft water; others require hard water and some are fairly flexible.

Mine seem to be flexible, they have done well in prev. setup which at one point was soft and acidic, but also was neutrally hard at another point.

I see you're in Toronto, and that city has several aquarium clubs. I would check them out as they're where you're going to get plants (in auctions) that have been grown fully submerged and won't need a transition period. Plus you'll meet some good people - thee are good aquarists in the Greater Toronto region.

I used to go to those aquarium or pet "conventions." I have been in the hobby for 9-10 years now. I used to breed guppies/endlers, and bettas, along with some selective projects that would be a mouthful to name but majority being New World Cichlids, and Corys. Point is, I went to sell, never to buy and I always had acquaintances that could lend me plants so I never really went to buy plants for my community tanks. I agree with you, the plants from box stores like for those swords, Big Al's often aren't the best kept before purchase/shipment.