dynafire

Hi Zapins,

Plants that show deficiencies are Hygrophila polysperma 'Sunset' the other plant looks like ALTERNANTHERA REINECKII 'ROSAEFOLIA'. I will try to get a picture with my cell tomorrow and see how it is going to turn out.

Thanks for the help

Zapins

How long have these plants been in this tank? Where were they kept before? Is there any chance there is sea salt in the tank?

dynafire

The plants have been in the tank for about 3 weeks now. I purchased them from other forum members so I am not sure where they are kept before me. I don't remember using any sea salt unless they are leeched from the crushed corals.

Seattle_Aquarist

Hi dynafire,

I have been following this thread. Glad to hear that your plants are showing improvement. I am having trouble determining by reading this thread if you did or did not add Ca and Mg or not to help resolve your problem.

I agree with Philosophos, CaCl is a good way to add calcium. I mix it up outside the tank and them add it because the chemical reaction with H2O causes heat and I don't what the fish to get a "hot mouth" (LOL) trying to eat it as it sinks to the bottom of the tank. BTW, CaCl and MgSO4 should not be mixed together with water but added separately. If mixed together you get a percipitate that does not dissolve easily.

Philosophos

Hmmm maybe MgSO4 with CSM+B then, as suggested on thekrib?

-Philosophos

dynafire

Hi Seattle_Aquarist,

I have not add any Ca or Mg to the tank. All I did was upgrade the 29g display to 40g breeder with about 50% of R/O water and filled the rest of the tank up with old water. I did not add any Ca because it has not arrive yet, but I will add some when it gets here.

Thanks for the warning about CaCl . I have one more thing I need to clear up, even though I used 50% R/O with about 50% of old water I am still getting 60ppm Ca from the testing kit. However, my Gh did decreased by 2 dgh so it is at 4-5 dgh range. What I want to know is would I need to lower my Ca level before adding anymore CaCl?

Back to the main topic, I still don't know what cause the plants to curl and having deformation growth yet. I didn't add any Ca yet but my new growth does not look like there are Ca deficiency. Could it possibly be excess of nutrients?

-Dynafire

Seattle_Aquarist

Hi Philosophos,

Dosing just MgSO4 with CSM+B unfortunately does not resolve my problem with calcium deficiency. I add my Mg directly into the tank, but dissolve the CaCl in water before adding.

Philosophos

Not instead of Ca, I mean mix the MgSo4 with CSM+B to dodge the precipitate issue with CaCl2.

-Philosophos

Seattle_Aquarist

Hi dynafire,

The upgrade to the 40 gallon was probably a good idea with the reduction in height you increase the intensity of light the plants receive. With the increased intensity I would watch for algae growth and be prepared to reduce my photoperiod if necessary.

As for why you are not seeing a reduction of Ca with the 50% water change I do not know, it should have gone down. I do have a question though, I know the API Calcium Test kit is for saltwater only, which brand test kit are you using and does it state that it works for freshwater?

I believe I read you are dosing PPS-Pro. If so it is doubtful that you had an excess of nutrients. I would give everything a week or so, let things settle down, and see how the new growth looks. Keep us posted!

dynafire

I will watch the algae growth. You are right about the API Ca test kit! I didn't read it when I bought it. All the other test kits are for both types of aquariums. I will have to get a new Ca test then.