Plants Dying?

[tlef316]

I have a very low light tank and have some very basic plants. 2 small java ferns, a few crypts, some hornwort and a bunch of java moss. All has been fine for like 4 months, but all of a sudden it has all went to hell. Within about a week, the horwort died(and made a massive mess by falling apart, the java moss has went from dark green to almost white, and the java fern regressed badly.(roots turned white and a bunch of it withered and died) I didn't think i would have to fertilize with these plants, but i guess i would wrong.


Is there anything else i should look for? What types of ferts should i get.? Since the hornwort died, i had an ammonia spike(had never had ANY since i finished cycling) and my Red tail Black shark died(should be the least sensitive fish in the tank) I realize this is sort of a fish problem as well, but it started with the plants, so i figured id post it here first. Any help would really be appreciated.

 

[SuperColey1]

Not quite sure why the plants have gone white but RTBS are sensitive fish especially when young.

Andy

 

[tlef316]

looks like its definitely a mini cycle. There is ammonia present. I have no freaking clue why. I just lost another panda cory and the last one is in bad shape. Will probably be dead soon. I just did another water change. Ugh.

None of my cardinal tetras, rummy nosed tetras, clown loaches or blue rams are showing any signs of stress, but a few corys are looking a bit sluggish. This sucks. My first issue in over 7 months of the tank being up.

 

[SuperColey1]

When plants start to die they start to release ammonia (like plants rotting) when they are defficient and get weak they also leech ammonia into the water.

Like a bucket that gets a hole in it starts to leak.

Another cause can be disturbing the substrate which again can release ammonia.


When you say a very low light tank what size tank and what wattage of light do you have?

Andy

 

[tlef316]

When plants start to die they start to release ammonia (like plants rotting) when they are defficient and get weak they also leech ammonia into the water.

Like a bucket that gets a hole in it starts to leak.

Another cause can be disturbing the substrate which again can release ammonia.


When you say a very low light tank what size tank and what wattage of light do you have?

Andy

its a 75 gallon tank and its the light system that came with it. Its just one standard bulb and a reflector. (my guess is its a 40 watt light bulb) After the hornwort died, there were lots of little pieces all over the tank. I scooped out most of it, but it was everywhere. Its 95% gone now. Do you think the Java moss is dead and releasing ammonia? should i pull it all out?

My uneducated opinion is that the loss of the hornwort meant a lot of extra ammonia in the tank(both from pieces rotting and the loss of its filtering qualities) Does this sound about right? Is there anything else i can do other than water changes?

 

[tlef316]

a day later and not much change. The ammonia levels haven't dropped. Ph has risen closer to normal levels(around 7.0)No fish have died and they all look better today. What should i do? Another water change? Should i pull out the still very light colored java moss? (maybe its rotting) I have no clue.

By the way, if a mod wants to move this to the emergency section, feel free to do so.

 

[SuperColey1]

I would take all the plants out and wait until you can get at least 70W over the tank. Until then you will struggle to grow with much success I'm afraid.

Andy

 

[tlef316]

that may be true, although they've been fine and growing (hornwort and java moss grew like a weed) for like 4 months.

at this point, the main issue is whether they are doing harm right now. (IE is the Java moss rotting and leaching ammonia)I do appreciate the input though.