Red Amazon Sword

[iain.betson]

Hi my red amazon swords are getting brown spots on their leaves and then the leaves turn fully brown and die
What should I do?

 

[Jen]

Are you using any fertalizers in the tank?

 

[iain.betson]

Yes i am, it's Waterlife Tropiflora (with iron) I use under the stated dosage for my tank size to account for water displacement by substarte.

 

[iain.betson]

Anyone got any suggestions, should i just keep trimming off the dead/dying leaves, change lighting routine or change the way I use the fertiliser

#Fertiliser added every 14 days (dosage as stated in previous post)

#Lighting 2 x 30W 30" tubes 1st on @ 12pm, 2nd on @ 3pm, 2nd off @ 8pm and 1st off @10pm

#Trimming of dead leaves once evry week or two (deppendant on dead leaves)

All other plants ok
amazon sword
vallis
corkscrew vallis
pigmy chain
java fern
java moss
indian fern
tiger lotus lilly
plus a few more I cant remember the names of.

 

[Jen]

Yes. Cut off the dead leaves... your plant will send most of it's energy to the dying ones to try to save them, weakening the rest of the leaves.

If you are only dosing a liquid fertalizer, the could be one factor in it dying. Swords are huge root feeders, and really need root tabs, or nutrient rich substrate to thrive. I would suggest that you get some tabs and put one in as close to the plant as possible.

What size is your tank? I have a feeling that the light may not be sufficient. Red plants need lots of light to thrive.

 

[iain.betson]

My tank is a rio 180L, I have latterite in my substrate and the normal amazon sword is doing really well, I think i will give the tabs a go, recomend a good brand?

Thinking of setting up a DIY CO2 kit, but I want to do plenty of research first.

I guess there would not be much point in this until my lighting is sufficient.?