Why are my Crinum dying? Inaerobic conditions?

[cooledwhip]

My criunum plants (crinum natans and calamistratum) have been dying recently. They don't grow ANY roots and don't grow leaf mass at all. I pulled some out today and the bulb was all black and fell apart, almost like mold. There were zero roots. I believe this is because the sand is not letting roots go down and not letting t hem get air. What can I do? My tank requirements are fine, lighting is great, etc. The plants just can't root down I BELIEVE. Please correct me. Help. T hanks

 

[StevenF]

My understanding is that most of the CO2 and O2 plants need is absorbed through the leaves in terrestrial and aquatic plants. Additionally plants can absorb carbonates and organics through the roots. The plants can then break these down to extract the CO2 they contain. Additionally lack of aeration can be tested by increasing aeration with air pump and by directing a flow of water straight down so that this downward flow will push some old water out of the substrate. Gravel would also allow more flow through the substrate than sand would.

However in my experience melting and dying plants is most often caused by nutrient deficiency. Plants need 14 elements to grow. If you are short any one of these it doesn't mater how much light,CO2,O, and nitrogen you have. Your plants will simply not now grow or they will die. You can test for nutrient deficiency by fertilizing with a complete fertilizer such as Sachem Flourish Comprehensive. IF the plants are still alive they should recover with the fertilizer.

 

[Zante]

Did you bury the bulb in the sand or just lay it on the sand with the root end lightly embedded?