Sword plant turning black

[Andrew G]

Why are the tops of the leaves on my sword plant in my 20gal turning black?

 

[kenneth_kpe]

do you have a picture ? it might be a nutrient defficiency or algae

whats your tank parameters ?

lighting, substrate tank size etc etc

 

[Angry_Platy]

i am guessing it is algae.....

 

[Andrew G]

Parameters: Ammon 0, Nitrite 0, pH 7.0
Specs:
20 gal high
19W florescent
10 lbs of gravel
Java fern mixed with swords. The java are not turning black.
fish population in sig

Wouldn't my corys be eating the algae?

If it's algae, will it kill the plants?

 

[kenneth_kpe]

i dont think the corys prefer algae im guessing its algae too ... hmm if the plant is super infested with algae to the point that the plant cant't get enough light anymore then yes it could hard the plant i think your lighting is a bit low to support that kind of plant....

 

[Jen]

Mine did that too when I had a shorter tank. The leaf would reach the top of the water, and sit just under the surface. It was so close to the light that it just started collecting algae.

 

[Andrew G]

What can I do to help the plant get rid of the algae?

 

[@ombomb]

Sounds like algae to me too.

What is the Nitrate level?

 

[kenneth_kpe]

i get a little algae too with my plant tips when they get really close to the surface... but usually it just goes away.... hmm maybe your could try trimming the plant or getting the tank more balanced vs algae... take a read at the pinned algae article in the planted forums part main page