Problem with stems

[ChadRamsey]

Some of" my stem plants are looking rough. Leaves are falling off and some "dissolving" in a way.

PH 6.6
Am O
Nitrite 0
Nitrates 90ish ( i havent calibrated though)
temp is 77

I doses dry ferts(always have). BUT i have withheld or cut the dose of KN03 due to the high nitrate level.

I do NOT dose GH booster though.

What could be happening?
__________________

[ShadowMac]

pictures would be really helpful here.

[Biollante]

pictures would be really helpful here.

Hi,

Information would be helpful...



Biollante

[ChadRamsey]

pictures would be really helpful here.

Ill post some as soon as my light come on today

I have high lightening. 3 rows of Sun Blaxers T5's. Lightening and CO2 are on a timer, with a 9.5 hour photoperiod.

Hi,

Information would be helpful...



Biollante

please excuse my ignorance. I am new to planted tanks. But what other information would be helpful?

"Pictures, Heck Information Would Help! Nitrates 90ish, No GH Booster! O Please!"

Once again my ignorance prevails, but are you saying that there is a correlation between the high nitrate levels and me not dosing GH booster? My nitrate levels have always been high really, i cant seem to get them down, even with normal WC's.

[ChadRamsey]

also, i am talking about plants like Hygro Sunset, Rotolas, and Ludwiga.

My drop checker is with 6 inches of these plants and in the green

[Biollante]

Hi,

Welcome and thank you for the additional information.

In addition to this thread I recommend doing some reading, with a little reading I think you might answer your own question, but certainly would have had an awareness of the information required so people can give meaningful advice.

Many folks here love helping and exploring options, but there is some expectation that you are making an effort as well.

Helpful information includes:

1. Your experience level (this quickly becomes obvious).
2. Tank size, volume is a nice thing to know.
3. Lighting
   
   1. Type
   2. Wattage or PAR (if you know), color temperature (if you know).
   
   
4. Filtration.
5. Water change routine, general maintenance.
6. CO₂, pressurized, do-it-yourself or none.
7. Substrate.
8. How long has the tank been set up.
9. What you are dosing and how are you dosing?
10. What are you trying to accomplish?
11. Critters, sensitive critters, plants, types of plants, sensitive plants.
12. Information about the water you use for the tank, tap (is it a well?), RO, DI, bottled, blended.
    
    1. Listing your geographic location helps (your profile page)
    2. Do you have a water report you can share?

Obviously, certain information may be more pertinent, anything that might be relevant to your question and situation.

Once again, welcome, your response tells me you are serious.

Yes I am saying there is no (or precious little) correlation between nitrates and general hardness (GH). Again, something I think even a little reading would have told you.

90ish Nitrates can be an indication of a serious problem, the result of a serious problem, the result of overdosing fertilizers, and an indication of tap water problems, bad test kit or procedure, all of which may or may not be a big deal.

How does the tank smell?

90ish Nitrates after large water changes means

1. The water you are using has ridiculously high nitrates.
2. Your test kit or methodology is whacked.
3. Somebody is adding stuff without your knowledge (happens all the time in families and offices).
4. Something died and is rotting.

My guess of the moment is that something is rotting plant matter.

Why and how to fix it requires, wait for it…

• You guessed it!
  
  • More information!

Are there any missing fish?

Are there any missing gerbils, hamsters, mice, small dogs, cats or children?

Biollante

[Tug]

I'll have to bookmark this on an opening page someplace.

Best example: Laughing baby anthropomorphism.

.. unless.

[ChadRamsey]

OK Bio, now we are talking!!!

1. Im a noob, have had aquariums all my life, started my first planted tank, 2.5 months ago
2. tank size is 6' 125g
3. Lighting: 3 rows of sun blazers T5 HO, 6500k, blue, with GREAT reflectors. 26.5" above the substrate.
4. filter is an FX5
5. 25% WC biweekly
6. Pressurized co2, Rex Reactor
7. MTS capped with Flourite
8. Tank has been up and running for 2.5 moths
9. dry dose with 1/2 tsp KNO3, 1/4 tsp KH2P04, 1/4 tsp K2S04,(sunday, tuesday, thursday), Plantex-csm+ Boron (monday, wednesday, and friday). NOTHING else atm
10. trying to accomplish a lush Tom Barr looking Dutch/Jungle look
11. critters:
-10 Tiger barbs
-8 Purple pasion danio
- 6 Roseline sharks
-6 cories
-5 otos
-1 clown pleco
-a bunch of nerite snails
12. Water. I used cold side tap. Here in Ga we have great water. I primed it. Sorry no water report, BUT i want to get one. Ill work on that.

I believe that the 90 nitrates was due to a bad test kit. I bought a second kit today and the readings are:

GH 25
KH 60
PH 6.7
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 40ish

I have nothing missing really. The only thing that i could say is "missing" is possibly nerites snails. I started with 55 of them. sold about 15. Pulled out 5 empty shells that smelled AWFUL!! And can only see about 10 active ones. So its safe to say that i have maybe 25 nerite snails MIA.

[ChadRamsey]

Plants:

Fore ground:
049
micro sword
Hydroco Trip

stems:
Altern Reinekii
Rotola Green *
Hygro Polysperma*
Rotola rotund *
Hygro sunset*
Bocopa Japan*
Hygro cory angus
rotola wallichii*
Lud palustris*
Lud glandulosa*

other:
crypt bechettii
crypt wendtii red
crypt nurii
Apono Ulv
Hygro Pinn*
riccia
Fissidens

All plants with * are being effected. Leaves melting and falling off. Some have stems that are melting as well.

[ChadRamsey]

heres the rotola green