scott the fishman Posted November 18, 2021 Share Posted November 18, 2021 HELLO FISH FRIENDS! I tested my water and took a pic of the results . IF any of you more experienced FK could comment on my test i would be grateful. Some of my plants are not doing well i am using API leaf zone, and api root tabs i have over 30 small fish in my 75 g moderately planted tank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingFishKeeper Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 Hi, to me at least your nitrate, and iron look a bit low. I think I've heard that nitrate should usually be around 20 ppm as a target. 30 fish might not be producing enough waste depending on what species they are, how much their fed, etc. (Also if your nitrate is low that seems to point a bit in the direction of other nutrients being a bit low perhaps?) As far as I can tell API Leaf Zone doesn't seem to provide nitrogen, so a different fertilizer might improve things. (I haven't had too much experience with fertilizers, so I'm not sure which one is the best, although I've heard really good things about Aquarium Coop's Easy Green.) Best of luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott the fishman Posted November 19, 2021 Author Share Posted November 19, 2021 On 11/18/2021 at 8:36 PM, FlyingFishKeeper said: Hi, to me at least your nitrate, and iron look a bit low. I think I've heard that nitrate should usually be around 20 ppm as a target. 30 fish might not be producing enough waste depending on what species they are, how much their fed, etc. (Also if your nitrate is low that seems to point a bit in the direction of other nutrients being a bit low perhaps?) As far as I can tell API Leaf Zone doesn't seem to provide nitrogen, so a different fertilizer might improve things. (I haven't had too much experience with fertilizers, so I'm not sure which one is the best, although I've heard really good things about Aquarium Coop's Easy Green.) Best of luck! thank you! most my fish are barbs tigers and cherry few loaches and 8 teteras one common pleco 5 inches and a red tail shark 4 inches . i was feedinging once a day now every other day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flumpweesel Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 as @FlyingFishKeeper said either let the nitrate build a bit before the next water change and feed the plants or find a more complete fert. if your plants are struggling now but were doing fine it is probably the reduced feeding that has cut their food in half as well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott the fishman Posted November 19, 2021 Author Share Posted November 19, 2021 On 11/19/2021 at 12:46 AM, Flumpweesel said: as @FlyingFishKeeper said either let the nitrate build a bit before the next water change and feed the plants or find a more complete fert. if your plants are struggling now but were doing fine it is probably the reduced feeding that has cut their food in half as well. thanks for the reply! good info i just started to reduce feeding. think doing water changes once a week is the problem. i will keep testing the water and find that happy spot. when my nitrates are at 20ppm. then wait one more week and see if my nitrates are over the 20ppm mark. does that sound like a good strategy? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flumpweesel Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 On 11/19/2021 at 3:05 PM, scott the fishman said: does that sound like a good strategy? Yes it does to me, and fingers crossed for the double win of healthy plants and less labour. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 I agree, your Nitrate looks low. It’s the most important macro nutrient so you want to make sure you have plenty available for the plants. The API leaf zone only has potassium and Iron so it’s not going to do the job on it’s own. I’d get a comprehensive fertilizer like Easy Green that has all three macronutrients and a long list of micros. What kind of light do you have and how long do you leave it on? How long have the plants been in the tank. Also, can you post a picture of your entire tank? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott the fishman Posted November 20, 2021 Author Share Posted November 20, 2021 On 11/19/2021 at 7:45 AM, Patrick_G said: I agree, your Nitrate looks low. It’s the most important macro nutrient so you want to make sure you have plenty available for the plants. The API leaf zone only has potassium and Iron so it’s not going to do the job on it’s own. I’d get a comprehensive fertilizer like Easy Green that has all three macronutrients and a long list of micros. What kind of light do you have and how long do you leave it on? How long have the plants been in the tank. Also, can you post a picture of your entire tank? thank you! i have a aqueon optibright 48-54" led light plus the led light strip that came with the tank and stand combo. i have the light set for 8 hours a day. on my days off longer. the plants have been in my tank for four months now. the pics are the two species of plants that are not doing well. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minanora Posted November 20, 2021 Share Posted November 20, 2021 The holes in the leaf on the second and third photo look like a pleco had a snack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott the fishman Posted November 21, 2021 Author Share Posted November 21, 2021 On 11/19/2021 at 7:52 PM, Minanora said: The holes in the leaf on the second and third photo look like a pleco had a snack. well thats what i get since i put them on a diet. thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RadMax8 Posted November 21, 2021 Share Posted November 21, 2021 Your plants that aren’t doing well appear to be swords. They are heavy root feeders and will benefit from some root tabs. I know Aquarium Co-op has some good ones. I also used to make my own using Osmocote+ and gel capsules. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted November 21, 2021 Share Posted November 21, 2021 Great looking tank! I’d start by adding a comprehensive fertilizer like Easy Green and maybe some root tabs for the swords. I’d also trim the dying leaves so the plant puts energy into new ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bev C Posted November 21, 2021 Share Posted November 21, 2021 (edited) Beautiful tank..... my bristolnose pelco eats swords can not have them in my tank. I use Easy Green liquid and Easy Green root tabs Edited November 21, 2021 by Bev C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minanora Posted November 21, 2021 Share Posted November 21, 2021 @scott the fishmanWhat are those test strips you're using? I'm interested in testing for metals as well. My pleco is well fed but he's all about eating my crypts and Java Fern.... Just for fun I guess. They must be tasty. I agree with everyone about ferts. Especially if your nitrates are super low. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott the fishman Posted November 24, 2021 Author Share Posted November 24, 2021 On 11/20/2021 at 10:31 PM, RadMax8 said: Your plants that aren’t doing well appear to be swords. They are heavy root feeders and will benefit from some root tabs. I know Aquarium Co-op has some good ones. I also used to make my own using Osmocote+ and gel capsules. thank you for the reply! i be getting the ferts and tabs from coop. On 11/21/2021 at 9:05 AM, Minanora said: @scott the fishmanWhat are those test strips you're using? I'm interested in testing for metals as well. My pleco is well fed but he's all about eating my crypts and Java Fern.... Just for fun I guess. They must be tasty. I agree with everyone about ferts. Especially if your nitrates are super low. SORRY for the delay in my reply i have not had internet for 3 days. the strips are JNW direct aquarium and fish tank strips. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott the fishman Posted November 24, 2021 Author Share Posted November 24, 2021 On 11/21/2021 at 9:05 AM, Minanora said: @scott the fishmanWhat are those test strips you're using? I'm interested in testing for metals as well. My pleco is well fed but he's all about eating my crypts and Java Fern.... Just for fun I guess. They must be tasty. I agree with everyone about ferts. Especially if your nitrates are super low. JNW direct Aquarium and fish tank strips 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott the fishman Posted November 24, 2021 Author Share Posted November 24, 2021 On 11/21/2021 at 8:37 AM, Bev C said: Beautiful tank..... my bristolnose pelco eats swords can not have them in my tank. I use Easy Green liquid and Easy Green root tabs thank you! i just put my fish on a diet. think my common pleco might be having a snak. i know other things are cousing leaf root and holes . since my nitrates are so low i am sure thats a big issue. i havent done a water change in two weeks and my nitrates are at 10 ppm. up from 0. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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