Help Needed with Blyxa Japonica and other plants

Morning!

I need some help please.

Blyxa Japonica:

In one tank it's starting to turn the copper / reddish colour. From what I understand that is the objective. No ferts in this tank, only CO2.

In two other tanks it's melting - only one of these two receives excel, the other receives CO2


Staurogyne Repens:

Leaves "melting" and turning yellow. Co2 on the tank. Ista's manual / disposable type. I have not been giving ferts for the last couple of months due to serious algae problems.

Crypts:

Leaves "melting" and turning yellow. Co2 on the tank. Ista's manual / disposable type. I have not been giving ferts for the last couple of months due to serious algae problems.

Any hits and tips for tanking care of these plants?

 

Algae is not caused by adding ferts to a tank. Algae is caused by too little ferts and too little co2, and, in most cases, too much light. Algae is due to an imbalance in the aquarium. Stopping the ferts will only add to your algae issue.

Adjusting the amount of co2 and ferts to the amount of light you have above the tanks should solve your problem.

Having a lot of light, and little to no ferts and adding co2 is the cause of your issue. Increasing the fertilization, and the amount of co2 you're adding will help reverse the effects of plant deficiencies in your tank.

What I would first suggest is removing as much of the algae as possible, and then increase the fertilization and increase the co2. You will probably find that things will correct themselves in time.

 

@Sean J - Thank you very much! Will do! :bigsmile:

 

Well said Sean J

 

I got very exited when I saw one of my blyxa plants are flowering but after reading up on it, I'm not so sure it's a good thing! :wondering:

From what I understand high phosphate levels causes algae and according to what I've just read up, it flowers if phosphate levels are kept high - "If phosphate levels are kept high (1-2 ppm), this species will continuously produce small white flowers on long, thin stalks"

From what I know (please correct me if I'm wrong) Levels between 1 and 2 is too high!

Question to those with experience: Does it only flower if phosphate levels are high or simply when it's happy?

 

In my experience, it flowers when it's happy. Some plants only flower when the conditions aren't right and they flower to preserve themselves. But Blyxa is an easy plant, and not high maintenance like the Eriocaulon species that I was talking about.

If you fear the water parameters are wrong, do a water change.

PS: 1-2 ppm of phosphate in a planted tank is not high. And phosphates don't cause algae. something out of balance causes algae. Too much light, and too little co2 and ferts.

 

Thanx @Sean J - I really appreciate!