Newbie please send help

[Naynay]

Hello all!  I am a newbie to planted tanks and recently (about two weeks ago) set up a five gallon nano aquarium with anubias nana petite, Java fern, Java moss, and ludwigia repens, and (the reason I’m posting) red root floaters.  I planted the tank about four days ago. The tank has some pre-cycled media (from a 1 gallon I actually got through the nitrogen cycle but did not stock at all). I set it all up and even put a sponge on my filter outflow because there was more surface agitation than I was comfortable with (red root floaters don’t like that). Despite this, some of my red root floaters are partially submerged and the submerged leaves are starting to melt (while the ones at aren’t are doing very well) . . . Even though they’re not being knocked around by my filter.  

I dosed the recommended dosage of API Leaf Zone (which contains both potassium and iron, which I read that floaters need) I have my aquarium LED on the brightest setting for eight hours of consistent light every day. My new tank isn’t fully cycled but it’s getting there (we’re already through the worst of the ammonia spike)

here are the current parameters:

gh 60

kh 180

ph between 7 and 7.5

nitrate 20

nitrite 0 

slightly above 0 ammonia

I was contemplating dosing the recommended fertilizer dose twice a week instead of once (so double the amount of fertilizer) because I read that nutrient deficiency will cause the red root floaters to sink and melt. I was also contemplating increasing the light time (I had read somewhere that a newly planted aquarium should only receive about 8 hours of light to fend off algae but I also know red root floaters need a lot of light) If there’s anything else I could try, I would be extremely grateful to hear it. I really love my red root floaters and would be very sad if they all melted away. . .

 

I attached a photo so y’all can see what I’m talking about. 

 

Thanks in advance!

Edited January 18, 2021 by Naynay

[FrozenFins]

What brand of fertilizer are you using, is it the API stuff? I have no experiance with this but I can tell you that what your describing is defentley a defiancy. I would suggest to steer away from the API fertilizer and try Aquarium Co-Op Easy Green and Aquarium Co-Op Easy Iron

Easy Green https://www.aquariumcoop.com/collections/the-easy-range/products/easy-green-all-in-one-fertilizer

Easy Iron https://www.aquariumcoop.com/collections/the-easy-range/products/easy-iron 

 

[Naynay]

@James Black yes I am using the API fertilizer. I’ll get the easy green and iron and cross my happy little fingers. . . Thank you so much! 

6 minutes ago, James Black said:

What brand of fertilizer are you using, is it the API stuff? I have no experiance with this but I can tell you that what your describing is defentley a defiancy. I would suggest to steer away from the API fertilizer and try Aquarium Co-Op Easy Green and Aquarium Co-Op Easy Iron

Easy Green https://www.aquariumcoop.com/collections/the-easy-range/products/easy-green-all-in-one-fertilizer

Easy Iron https://www.aquariumcoop.com/collections/the-easy-range/products/easy-iron 

 

 

[gardenman]

To be honest, they look fine to me. You've got new growth coming out. I suspect the leaf damage you're seeing is more related to them having been handled. I wouldn't worry about it. Leaves can be pretty delicate and your red root floaters were likely handled quite a bit by the leaves getting them into the tank. (There's no carrying handle on them so people tend to grab them by a leaf.) You may be trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist. If they're anything like mine, they'll grow so fast you'll be weeding them out in a month and wondering how to control them. 

[Naynay]

@gardenman thank you for the advice! Even if it isn’t nutrient deficiency, i getting a better fertilizer shouldn’t hurt right🤷‍♀️To be honest the thought of my red root floaters dying has been giving me so much anxiety 😅 nice to know it could be from handling. We shall see how this unfolds as the weeks go on 🤞🏼
 

and I would LOVE to have your problem 😂

[Naynay]

So update, I dosed the easy green yesterday when I got it, and ALL of my plants showed signs of new growth within one day!!! I’m so happy ☺️ Thank y’all so much for the advice ❤️