Something’s eating my plants and it's not the fish

Hi Everyone,

So I have some algae problems that I am trying to sort out. I have read quite a few posts about algae problems. I reduced the amount of hours the lights are on and I think this helped.
About two days ago I realized that my moss and java fern (not sure if the plant names are correct) is being consumed by something, please see pictures below and tell me what’s wrong?
The tank is in a bad condition and I need to sort out the algae problems as well. I do a weekly water change and all my tank parameters are normal, I think the problem is I am not dosing enough (or at all) trace elements and fertilizers.
Tank Setup:
100l planted tank
20 endlers
9 Harlequin Rasbora
6 Sterbai Cories
4 Otto Otocinclus
Tank has been running for about 1 year with no problems.

Trickling filter in hood
External filter
2 x 50W lights

Thanks
Bylaag

 

Maybe get a few better pics. It looks like you have bad hair algae? What sort of water movement have you got in the tank and what ferts are you dosing? Also, are your lights T8's and how long is your lighting period?

 

Hi Hawk,

Thanks for the reply!

Sorry the lights are 20W T8's not 50W. I am running them for about 8 hours a day but in 2 hour intervals.

Water movement is plenty from the spray bar and other pump outlet nozzle.

Dosing Seachem Flourish Excel and Seachem Flourish, but not on a regular basis.

I have Black hair algae and green spot algae but this is a new thing that basically kills the plants.

Hope these pics are better. The leaves basically turns brown and just disappears, the moss does the same.

Thanks

 

I would suggest you change your lighting period to about 6hrs solidly on and look at getting 2 more T8's or switching to T5's (you are only running 40w over your 100l (I have 4x39w T5's). I am running 4x54w T5's from 17h00 until 23h00 on my 300l as these are the hrs I'm at home. The plants need time to start photosynthesizing.

Regarding the filtration and circulation, remember that during your lighting period you don't want a lot of surface agitation/airation as this removes available co2.

I would also suggest you get the full range of Seachem ferts or use Tropica ferts or look at EI.

 

Thanks, I will make some changes and see what happens.

So you think the plants are just dying and I shouldn't worry about some disease killing them?

 

Are you running CO2? If not, you don't have to worry about surface agitation removing CO2, rather it might allow more CO2 in. If you aren't running CO2, then be careful of increasing ferts & light too much. Your plants might be melting from not having enough nutrients consistently. I have found (from experience) that inconsistent dosing is murder to plants. When I dose consistently my plants are much healthier and happier.

 

Hi Jenn,

No CO2, just excel dosing on an irregular basis. I am horrible in keeping the dosing of ferts and liquid CO2 constant.

When is the best time to add the ferts, trace elements and CO2?

Thanks
Bylaag

 

There is no best time for adding ferts as long as you are consistantly dosing. I add my ferts in the morning so that they are available for uptake when the lights switch on which to me makes the most sense.

Regarding co2 injection, if you are going to run a pressurised sytem then your co2 should switch on 1-2hrs before lights on and should switch off 1-2hrs before lights off. This way your co2 is available to your plants when the lights come on and they have a chance to use it up before lights off. If you are running diy then co2 production is 24hrs a day so you can physically disconnect it when your lights go off and reconnect when your lights come on or run it 24/7 and put an air pump on a timer to switch on when your lights switch off and switch off when your lights switch on.

What plants have you got in the tank?

 

I know what it's like. I can also be consistently inconsistent Here's something I've found to make it easier and less of a fuss with measuring, etc. Get some squirty pump bottles - like the bottles the Tropica ferts come in. Pour whatever you are dosing in those and work out how many squirts per day you need for your size tank. It, of course, depends on how much is dispensed per pump. The bottles I have dispense 1ml per pump. On my 60l tank it has worked out quite nicely - 1 pump of each per day. I remember most days

 

I've only had bad luck with Seachem excel my java fern where growing well and then partly died off when I added excel. My Valisnera died off completely after the excel. I ve had beter results with tetra tablets and liquid fertilizer.

Good luck with your plant recovery I busy for 2 months and the plants only showing inproofments now

 

Hawk Plants I have in my tank at the moment:
Moss – Growing like mad
Java Vern - Melting
Hair Grass – Not Growing
Vallisneria – Growing like mad
althernantera reineckii rosefolia - Not growing
Rotala rotundifolia
And some others that I got from Ferdie

Jenn That’s a brilliant idea, will go and get some bottles.

Tetra What Fertilizer are you talking about? Maybe it’s the excel that’s melting my Java Fern because I’m dosing it more regularly now.

This is my tank about 4 months ago, before any problems.

I have taken out the big leave plants.
Now that I think about it, the problem started after I took out the big leave plants. Could this have contributed to the problem?

 

Double Post

 

Here is a link so you can read up about your plants: http://www.tropica.com/en/plants/plant-list-a-z.aspx

I'm suprised you are having problems with Java Ferns. They are very undemanding plants. Have you tied it to wood or did you bury it? Any idea which type you have?
Alternanthera reineckii roseafolia requires a little more light than you have and co2 injection. You have 0.4w/l lighting and require 0.5w/l.

When last did you replace your T8's?

 

Hi Hawk,

The Java Fern is tied to wood, it was growing brilliantly till last week. No idea which type, will try to have a look.

I replaced them a year ago when I got the tank. When do you recommend they should be replaced?

 

T8's should be replaced every 6 months. You should also give your tubes a regular wipe down/clean to remove any buildup.

 

Thanks Hawk, will get some new ones. Any type I should buy?

 

The cheapest you can find...

Go to somewhere like "The Lamphouse" for the tubes. Look for 6500k - 8000k.