Help With Plants Please

[Marnee]

50 gallon tank, 48" long.
I have 48" 108W, 2x54 Fluorescent T5 HO, 2 24" 30W T8, I use ferts about 2 times a week (Big Al's store brand) no co2, lights are on about 8-9hrs daily. On the first picture I posted I am not sure if this is algae or the plant is dying on the lower part of the stem. Upper parts of Cabomba are very lush and seem not to be affected. They are located almost in front of the filter flow. Perhaps they don't like too much movement in the water?

These leaves are not doing too well either.

Do I have enough light?
Do I leave it on long enough, or not long enough?
Is the brown area on the Cabomba algae?
Should I use a different fert?
HELP!

 

[mattyeatsmatts]

Why don't you try liquid Co2 out?

 

[Marnee]

I have everything I need to do DIY co2, bottles are ready and tubing is sealed in lids, but it makes me a bit nervous to try it. I just don't feel I have the knowledge yet. My biggest concern is lights out time and the co2 still running. I was thinking I could just unhook it at night, dump it down the drain and make a fresh batch each morning. That is the only way I can be certain no co2 will enter the tank at night. I'm sure there are plenty of other things I should know before adding co2 as well.

 

[BLACK DDOG]

I had a similar problem with the Cabomba in my tanks dieing and the LFS said that the local water was too hard for it to grow successfully.

 

[FishFanatic04]

If it is just the lower part of the cabomba, I think that is pretty common. Maybe they lower leaves aren't getting enough light? Did you rub that broad leaf to see if the brown would come off? Maybe it's just algae