Help This is new!

[DutchMuch]

Tank Specs:

Tank: UNS 75P
Fertilizing: APT 'E' 7ml / daily
Co2: ~40ppm
Age: Coming up around a year (re-scaped a month ago)
Substrate: UNS Controsoil 'Fine'
No Root Tabs

Description:
Hi Scapers,

I wanted to get some opinions, as I have not seen this before. I am familiar with typical plant melt, but this looks more like a “cedar rust” style growth, possibly algae, that is specifically affecting my Hygrophila.

It has unfortunately progressed quite a bit, and no other plants appear to be affected. I have asked around and received theories ranging from heavy metal contamination to zinc deficiency, but I have not gotten a confident or consistent answer.

Looking to the pros here for some insight or similar experiences.

 

[ElleDee]

Is this a new plant, or an established one that has started going downhill?

This tank is 150 liters, right? Using the dosing calculator on the 2hr Aquarist website it recommends 3.3 mL of APT e daily. I understand there are a lot of variables to a tank, but is there a reason you are dosing at 2x that amount?

 

[DutchMuch]

Hi ElleDee,

Thank you for the response! This is a plant that has been well-established.

Dosing 2x amount per just reading the plants, when i dosed the 3.3ml i had an abundance of deficiencies. I've been dosing the 6ml for the tanks lifespan at this point per my journal, which shows activity prior to the re-scape. (Link under profile pic).

All other plant growth is unaffected.

 

[DutchMuch]

After speaking to a colleague they stated it is highly likely a nitrogen deficiency... I will increase dosage from 6ml to 8ml (20%) and report back in a week.


If anyone has further input please let me know, thank you.

 

[techman81]

After speaking to a colleague they stated it is highly likely a nitrogen deficiency... I will increase dosage from 6ml to 8ml (20%) and report back in a week.


If anyone has further input please let me know, thank you.

Wow, that's high dosing. I only dose 4.5ml of APT 3 daily in my 49g tank.

 

[DutchMuch]

Wow, that's high dosing. I only dose 4.5ml of APT 3 daily in my 49g tank.

I agree and had the same thought, however i haven't received any other feedback and I'm open to options...

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

What % of water change do you do, and how frequently?

 

[DutchMuch]

What % of water change do you do, and how frequently?

Per APT 'E' 50% a week.

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

You should test your nitrates right before you do a water change and get back to us! In a tank with that much plant mass, it might be easy to get deficiencies if not dosing enough.

 

[DutchMuch]

You should test your nitrates right before you do a water change and get back to us! In a tank with that much plant mass, it might be easy to get deficiencies if not dosing enough.

Let me test them now, water change day is tomorrow.

Be right back with results!

 

[DutchMuch]

You should test your nitrates right before you do a water change and get back to us! In a tank with that much plant mass, it might be easy to get deficiencies if not dosing enough.

Back with results!

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

Deficiencies really only happen when things hit zero, so my guess is your nitrates look fine, imo

 

[DutchMuch]

Deficiencies really only happen when things hit zero, so my guess is your nitrates look fine, imo

Thank you, any ideas on what is happening?

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

Always so hard to tell. I would recommend trimming those old leaves before they attract algae, keep doing what you're doing, and report back on the new growth. If the NEW growth has issues, then something is very wrong, but if it's just the older growth at this point, it might be fine.
Seems unlikely to be macros, especially if your other plants are fine. Siamensis (or similar plants) are a bit touchy in my experience. Mine did not like overdosing micros, but then again none of the plants did.

I would update on the new growth in 1-2 weeks!

 

[DutchMuch]

Always so hard to tell. I would recommend trimming those old leaves before they attract algae, keep doing what you're doing, and report back on the new growth. If the NEW growth has issues, then something is very wrong, but if it's just the older growth at this point, it might be fine.
Seems unlikely to be macros, especially if your other plants are fine. Siamensis (or similar plants) are a bit touchy in my experience. Mine did not like overdosing micros, but then again none of the plants did.

I would update on the new growth in 1-2 weeks!

Sounds good, i will trim the old and keep the new. Will see how that goes and report back the findings, thank you for all your help Rocco.

 

[techman81]

What specific type of Hygrophila is it?

 

[DutchMuch]

What specific type of Hygrophila is it?

Hygro Siamensis 53B