[Bert H]

My A. reinickii is showing stunted, misshapen growth. I don't believe Ca is a problem, since my water has KH of 9 and GH of 11. What else can contribute to this?

Tank params:
pressurized CO2 (25-35ppm); NO3 at 15ppm; PO4 at 2ppm; 2.6WPG for 10 hrs; K, and Mg added at water change; traces/iron added daily except for when NO3 and PO4 are added.

 

[bharada]

Mine seem to get this way when I have excessive K. Sometime it's a fine balancing act since my L.repens would start developing pinholes and I'd add some additional K, only to have the Alternanthera stunt.

 

[Bert H]

Bill, funny you should mention that... I have the same problem. My Ludwigias also develop pinholes, and I have been playing with both K and Mg. I went out this past weekend and collected a bunch more of L. repens because I'm too damn stubborn to believe I cannot grow a healthy stand of it!

 

[bharada]

...because I'm too damn stubborn to believe I cannot grow a healthy stand of it!

Haha! Ain't that the truth!

I've been going round and round with my repens, swapping it back and forth between my 40 and 125. I've actually had a lot more succes with L. ovalis, which is funny because when I bought it a few months ago, it all but melted away. I thought I had tossed it all when I noticed a single stem growing behind some driftwood. It has since developed quite well. Plus it's had less of a tendancy to develop pinholes.

 

[Bert H]

Interesting you should mention that about the ovalis, because I have been looking to try some out. If you ever want to sell a couple of your trim discards, let me know.

 

[plantbrain]

CO2-> NO3-> K-> PO4->Ca/Mg-> Traces.

Follow that. No it's not an extra/ecessive K issue, I've kept A reineckii for eons and have had K+ level far exceeding anything you guys have even come close to.

It's not stunting because of an excess and certainly not K+. I have a great deal experience as do many with that nutrient, perhaps one of the most over dosed nutrients I am aware of.


Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Bert H]

So Tom, I feel pretty confident the CO2, NO3, and PO4 are at good levels. For a 29 gal tank, how much Florish and Florish iron would you recommend? I am adding 1.5ml of Flourish and 0.75ml lf iron 5 times a week. Thanks.

BTW, how's CA, treating you? You missed the fun of hurricanes here!

 

[plantbrain]

CA is much better.
Try adding 5-7mls 3x a week.

Off days from the macro's.

That should rev up anything.

Even when I think I'm good with CO2, I'll get burned too.

Regards,
Tom Barr