Amazon Swords look bad despite root tabs

[Gourami25]

My amazon swords are pale, almost white in some parts (camera makes them look greener) and yellowish too. They were growing new leaves when I got them (a bit more than a month ago) but stopped a few days later. I've been struggling with plants in general despite using root tabs and liquid ferts. My pH is 8 and my gH is 6. Nitrates are always low (0 or close to 0) because the tank only had one fish for a long time, but a few days ago I added more fish so I expect that to change. Today nitrates were 5 actually, but I don't even know if this looks like a nitrate deficiency. Any ideas?

[StephenP2003]

I'm seeing what looks like a combo of emersed and submersed leaves. The submersed leaves do look deficient. Trying to link it to a specific nutrient is not something I recommend. Having low stocking and low nitrates makes it easy to say you're probably deficient in more than just nitrates. I'd say up the dosing on the ferts, and change nothing else for 2 weeks, maybe longer, and see what new growth is looking like. 

 

Also, do you happen to know your KH? Not a huge deal for swords unless it happens to be through the roof, so just wanted to check. 

 

And a month is a short time to own a sword plant, or have a tank running. In a low-tech tank, swords are like a multi-year transformation if you keep feeding them well.  Adding fish will help with more than just boosting nitrates as well. Take some photos periodically so you can see how the plants change over time!

[Cory]

Also how many root tabs? I usually load up on root tabs near my swords.

[Gourami25]

51 minutes ago, Cory said:

Also how many root tabs? I usually load up on root tabs near my swords.

Hmm I only tried one for each plant, I guess I could try to increase the quantity

36 minutes ago, Pepere said:

What are you using for Liquid fertilizer?  Some brands of liquid fertilizer do not contain nitrates…

Easy Green

[Cory]

43 minutes ago, Gourami25 said:

Hmm I only tried one for each plant, I guess I could try to increase the quantity

Easy Green

I put extras as the roots need to come into contact with the root tabs.

[Riiz]

I'm assuming you have a Nitrate test kit. Slowly add more Easy Green and test for Nitrates until you start see a change. 

[Gourami25]

10 hours ago, Cory said:

I put extras as the roots need to come into contact with the root tabs.

Okay, thanks for the advice!

8 hours ago, Riiz said:

I'm assuming you have a Nitrate test kit. Slowly add more Easy Green and test for Nitrates until you start see a change. 

 

2 hours ago, Pepere said:

if the plants are star

ved they can scavenge it out of the water column when you add some..

 

i might try 3 pumps per 10 gallons as a loading dose if your testing show next To nothing showing in the water column. This should get you up to 10 ppm.   I generallyaim for 10 ppm in my tanks I dont inject co2 in to… then check a few days later to see where your nitrates are at.

 

Thanks guys, I'll also try increasing my nitrates then!

[DallasCowboys16]

Another thing to note is that it will take a little bit for the effects of fertilization to be visible in the swords. You won’t be getting instant feedback here.

 

Recent I really started loading mine up with root tabs and it took a few months to really take off.

Edited November 10 by DallasCowboys16

[Gourami25]

14 hours ago, DallasCowboys16 said:

Another thing to note is that it will take a little bit for the effects of fertilization to be visible in the swords. You won’t be getting instant feedback here.

 

Recent I really started loading mine up with root tabs and it took a few months to really take off.

Okay that's good to know, I won't lose hope!