ryan77724 Posted September 10 Share Posted September 10 So I started this 25 gallon tank about 6 months ago, and I’ve never struggled so much in my life! Substrate is aquatic pond compost topped with sand. At first I had hell getting plants to grow, then they finally took hold. About a month ago I started having problems with staghorn and bba. Then about 2 weeks ago the leafy green plants in the back slowly started not looking great and slowly dropping leaves. im currently running co2, and auto dosing an all in one fert, and potassium about every 3 days. I’m using a fluval plant light running about 8.5 hours a day. based on my plants appearance what does it look like is going on?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MWilk Posted September 10 Share Posted September 10 Looks like potassium deficiency. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeQ Posted September 10 Share Posted September 10 Nutrient deficiency, not just one specific nutrient either; all of them!! More fertilizer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan77724 Posted September 10 Author Share Posted September 10 On 9/10/2024 at 6:16 AM, MWilk said: Looks like potassium deficiency. I’m dosing a good amount of potassium, it tested at 80ppm the other day. So it can’t be that, which is why I’m confused Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeQ Posted September 10 Share Posted September 10 Npk, you need nitrogen and phosphates to start the nutrient chain reaction. The potassium most likely isn't even being consumed by the plants Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MWilk Posted September 10 Share Posted September 10 (edited) On 9/10/2024 at 6:52 AM, ryan77724 said: I’m dosing a good amount of potassium, it tested at 80ppm the other day. So it can’t be that, which is why I’m confused How long has that leaf been filled with small brown pinholes? oh, and how are you testing potassium? Edited September 10 by MWilk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan77724 Posted September 10 Author Share Posted September 10 On 9/10/2024 at 7:01 AM, JoeQ said: Npk, you need nitrogen and phosphates to start the nutrient chain reaction. The potassium most likely isn't even being consumed by the plants I have Both, after my weekly water change I am usually around .3 phosphate, and about 12 nitrate. I try to keep nitrate between 10-20 bc I’ve had livestock losses above 20. On 9/10/2024 at 7:17 AM, MWilk said: How long has that leaf been filled with small brown pinholes? oh, and how are you testing potassium? I’m not sure exactly, best guess 1-2 weeks. I am using a salifert kit to test potassium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeQ Posted September 10 Share Posted September 10 You have multiple deficiencies, 'brown spots' should be the least of your concerns, or be splitting hairs over test numbers. If it were me Id be doing a big water change to get your nutrients reset. Then dose a lot heavier! You should be increasing your dose as your plants grow, not maintaining the same dose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan77724 Posted September 10 Author Share Posted September 10 On 9/10/2024 at 9:08 AM, JoeQ said: You have multiple deficiencies, 'brown spots' should be the least of your concerns, or be splitting hairs over test numbers. If it were me Id be doing a big water change to get your nutrients reset. Then dose a lot heavier! You should be increasing your dose as your plants grow, not maintaining the same dose. Ok, thanks! I’ll give it a shot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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