What mineral am I lacking?

[parker002]

I posted pics of my tank on 2/16 and in there was a shot of two small aponogetons I started from bulbs.



In the month since, it's REALLY grown but it is showing signs of the same deficiencies I've had all along. Here are some (poor, sorry) pics:



Any ideas? I'm am using (or have been) Flourish, Flourish Iron, Flourish Potassium, and API Leafzone (Iron + Potassium).

[parker002]

I'm beginning to suspect this is a Magnesium deficiency.

I've consulted various charts and pictures and the only 1 that really fits is "dark green veins with yellowing or discoloration in between" which indicates a Magnesium deficiency.

I've been reading that Magnesium uptake is affected negatively by hard water.

Any other ideas?

[parker002]

Because my symptoms could indicate a lack of several things (Nitrogen, Potassium, Iron, Magnesium, etc.) I've decided to slow the growth of my plants a bit in hopes of slowing nutrient uptake and isolate the issue.

I've turned off the two fluorescent strips that came with my tank (2 x 18" ZooMed 15W T8 6500K) leaving just the Coralife T5 fixture running (2 x 48" Coralife 54W T5 10000K).

I've also cut back on the Flourish Excel while continuing to dose Flourish, Flourish Potassium, API LeafZone, and small bit of Epsom Salts (for Magnesium).

[bikeguy33]

i wish i knew more about plants....carl should have a better idea and i think he is back for monday. wish i could have been some help...

[Carl]

I am not seeing all that much of a problem from your pictures.

As for Magnesium deficiency; Magnesium is part of hard water, however the balance of your water mineral contents can effect other elements (for instant too high of calcium can precipitate other minerals in marine tanks, however Magnesium is attracted to calcium carbonate)

I would say maintaining a natural balance is always important which is why many purists use RO water then re-mineralize to the exact measurements that they might consider desirable for their aquarium's situation.

I know this is not an exact answer, but putting this more bluntly, other than setting up an RO system then re-mineralizing (which I am not necessarily suggesting for you with the exception of maybe considering using part RO), I would simply continue to use as balanced an approach to natural mineralization and the addition of ferts.
IMO, your tank looks good, and I think we can end up over maintaining our aquariums while seeking perfection

Maybe this article can help explain what i am saying
What should I know about Tap water for my Aquarium

Carl

[parker002]

I know we've discussed RO vs. tap water in the past. None of the LFS guys here suggest using 100% RO water either. I get what you're saying about over-maintaining and I'm sure you're poking me deliberately because you know I am particularly inclined to over-think things. I'm not going to do 100% RO water - it's cutting off my nose to spite my face.

That being said, I'm not sure my pictures are doing an adequate job of explaining the situation - those darker spots on the Aponogeton leaves are actually SEE-THROUGH. My Amazon Sword has a similar problem. It's like they're just not developing correctly.

By contrast, I have Milfoil that is growing 1-2 inches every few days - I'm having to cut it off weekly to prevent it from growing right out of the tank.

We also bought some large stalks of Water Sprite a long time ago. As it adjusted to our water, the stalks died off and it basically "started over", growing it's new little plants out of the leaves of the old. Without the stalks it wouldn't stay rooted, so I floated it. A month ago it was a bunch maybe 3 inches by 3 inches. Today, it's a thick carpet covering about 25% of the surface area of my 55G tank.

So obviously, the Milfoil and Water Sprite are thriving. Possibly not coincidentally, both of those plants have roots in the water column rather than in the substrate.

Should I consider getting some Flourish tabs specifically for the Aponogetons and Amazon Swords since they're root-bound?

[goldenpuon]

Though I have never really kept aquatic plants, upon inspection of your pictures, I do not see anything wrong. From the looks of them, they look very healthy and green. This is just an educated guess but I wouldn't worry too much. You are doing a great job taking care of them and keeping them alive/healthy for a beginner!

Renee

[Carl]

That being said, I'm not sure my pictures are doing an adequate job of explaining the situation - those darker spots on the Aponogeton leaves are actually SEE-THROUGH. My Amazon Sword has a similar problem. It's like they're just not developing correctly.

I understand your point.
I honestly am not sure of the problem, but I have my doubts as to the hard water/magnesium issue based on your chemistry and what i know of bio chemistry in general.

I will note that I have generally had better results with Root Tabs as per rooted plant health (whether the SeaChem or the API, although I prefer SeaChems).
Switching to these or using in combination may be the answer or at least improve this problem.

Another note (which is admittedly a bit fatalistic), is there are certain aquariums for whatever reason that certain fish or plants do not thrive, and sometimes it is easiest and more importantly; less frustrating to simply not keep these specimens.
I know this is a rather unscientific and borderline lame answer, but IMO we are not talking about a life or death issue that must be solved, rather I believe aquarium keeping is at least in part about the relaxing enjoyment we get from our aquariums and if our aquarium ends up as a stressor for whatever reason, then I think we need to re-think how we keep it.
Sorry for Carl's philosophy lesson/opinion, but this is how I attempt to look as these things even with an aquarium maintenance client's aquarium

Carl

[parker002]

No need to apologize - again I'm sure you're saying these things because it's ME. I know that I've given in to the stress before but I can assure you I'm not at all stressed about it right now. I just want to make sure I'm giving my fish and plants the best care I possibly can.

Right now I'm not going to do anything drastic. My packages should arrive tomorrow (I am so excited to hookup the Aquatop I can't even begin to tell you!) and once I'm done arranging everything I'll re-evaluate. Plus I ordered the Wonder Shells and those alone might make a difference.

If nothing changes in the next week or so, I think I'll try some of the tabs here first and see if they make a difference - if they do, I'll go ahead and get some Seachem Flourish tabs on order.

Thanks!