Dying leaves ?

[CincyScaper 152]

Hey guys,

I have been combating some filamentous algae so haven’t been able to post much. Likely from changing nutrition levels and immature tank.

I had reached some level of decent growth with the leanish dosing method with apt 3 with residual nitrates in 5-10 range.

But started noticing possibly dying leaves on plants that had become stable. Curious if people have thoughts on what could be the issue and if someone has seen this before.

It is specifically in rotala indica bonsai and rotala tulunadensis. Other rotalas and other species are doing ok (spar the filamentous algae).

Since the nitrate level is quite high for apt 3 dosed tank, one thought was micro over dose but not sure.

thanks!

 

[Burr740 69]

Notice its the older growth while the tips look very happy. This is the plant pulling mobile nutrients from the lower leaves to fuel the new growth, because there is not enough in the environment. Primarily macros are the mobile nutrients. Often it will come from leaves closer to the top than way down at the bottom (PO4 specifically tends to do this in mine)

From what you said the problem is almost certainly macros are now running low. Im not even gonna say check co2 first because co2 doesnt do this one specific thing

You might also notice some lingering algae originating from these damaged leaves. Leaves that go bad, or in any way lose their integrity leech algae food. Algae of all kinds grow on bad leaves, and they also release it into the water. Thats what most algae eat, not no3, po4 etc. This invisible byproduct is what BBA on the hardscape and filter outflow eat

Its why keeping old degraded leaves pinched off is so important. You cant really do that here but it doesnt matter. Just get the plants healthy, leaves wont degrade any further and the tank will evolve out of it

Unhappy plants is what caused your algae to begin with. Lots can be wrong for a plant before a tank cycles. They get a lot happier once it does