Swords

[nickmcmechan]

I have Swords in two of my tanks and they look the same, i.e. a lot of the leaves are holy and dying away, tending to be the larger leaves

they are fairly new to the tanks - 8 to 12 weeks old

is this just a settling in period?

or are they 'eating themselves' to regenerate new leaves?

i'm using ei dosing regimes with pressurised co2 on one tanks and excel on the other.

 

[Gerryd]

Hi,


8-12 weeks should be a sufficient acclimation period. Is it a new tank or established?

Can you id the specific type of swords you have?

Is the leaf damage due to snails? Older leaves are more prone to algae, snails, damage, etc.

Amazon leaves usually turn yellow and transparent as they reach the end of their life cycle or they are not getting fed properly.......

Are you getting new growth, or the same size plant, but now the original leaves are all falling off? Are the leaves growing at all?

Swords should put out new growth frequently, if you are not seeing this, then a review of your conditions is a must...

Could you please give more detail for each tank such as:

c02 - are you using a drop checker to measure?
what size tanks
ei dosing sched?
light type and duration
substrates used
excel dosing


Many swords have large root structures and the substrate needs to accomodate this structure. Is the substrate deep enough where the swords are located? Is it nutrient rich?

Pics are always welcome to help id the issue and diagnosis........

 

[creighton]

Check the Mg levels in you water. It sound like a Mg deficiency to me. I had problems with mine for a while, and then started adding Epsom salts, and BOOM: 2-ft tall amazons.

It could be something else, but it never hurts to double check.

 

[nickmcmechan]

guys, wow thanks for the replies, i'l try and answer

i have the swords in both my 180l tanks

for one of the tanks i run presuurised co2 with ei dosing, which i only started 2 weeks ago, at the same time started adding Mg as mt tap water is very low in it, in fact my tap water has gH and kH < 40ppm, typically around 20ppm, pH of 7.2

the other tank will see presurrised co2 this week with 1/3 ei dosing started a week ago and 1/3 dosing of Mg...have been using excel on this tank at double dosing

both tanks have 2x30W + 1 x25W plant bulbs, i.e. 85W over them, guess thats about 1.7 wpg, depending on UK or US gallons used as measurement

i believe the swords were sold to me as bleheri - this link is them (same supplier):

5 Aquarium Plants Common Amazon Sword Plant E.bleheri on eBay, also Live Plants, Fish, Pet Supplies, Home Garden (end time 24-Mar-08 13:55:07 GMT)

i'm really not seeing much growth at all, but more dead leaves than growth, some of the new leaves are a bit 'curly' at first but then seem to straightem up after about 2 inches tall, but maxing out about 4 inches

lights are on for 2 x 5 hour slots per day, co2 on at same time for presurrised co2 tank. this tank has eco-complete substrate about 1" deep, the other (excel dosed tank) has 1" layer of eco-complete with 1" layer of gravel on top.

i think that about answers it all, hopefully???

thanks!

 

[creighton]

Maybe Ca levels...I'm stumped!!!

 

[nickmcmechan]

i've ordered some calcium sulphate

someone else has suggested that they have been supplied with non aquatic leaves and it is those leaves that are dying off? any truth in this?

 

[creighton]

Yes. Most sword plants bought at pet stores are grown emersed. That could simply be the case. Submerged leaves are usually longer rather than a large stem and a smaller leaf. You'll be able to tell once it starts growing under water.

 

[nickmcmechan]

my trimming tools came yesterday and i got to work this morning

my oh my, the sa tank which has excusively swords looks bare, but i must admit when i pulled the bad leaves out they had a kind of crisp but ribbery feel to them...if that makes any sense at all???

the leaves that are left i must admit i can now see a different shade of green and they are all very small (less than 2 inches)

just about to connect up the pressurised co2 kit that came yesterday as well and go to full ei dosing...will et you know if there is a difference

thanks again for the help