View Full Version : HELP! Unknown plant disease!
Ampkc
02-20-2009, 11:54 PM
Hi, I have had this banana plant for a while now, and the leaves have kept thinning and dying. And now all the leaves are like that. Also my narrow leaf java fern is also starting to do it. Help? I need to id the problem and cure it. Thanks everyone. :welcome:
Mgamer20o0
02-21-2009, 1:39 AM
what kind of lighting do you have over it? tell us more about the tank.
looks like a lack of light for sure but then again ferns dont that much..
Jag1980
02-21-2009, 3:13 AM
Possibly lacking a little of everything.
Looks light a tank with water and very little light and nothing else?
Yeah, its in my 10 gallon tank, with only a 12 watt bulb. I leave the light on about 6-8 hours a day. I think that may be the problem too, but I'm also looking into buying some fertilizer for it in case. Any suggestions/confirmation?
whats the spectrum of the bulb?
247Plants
02-21-2009, 3:22 PM
Is it a fluorescent bulb or an incandescent?
If its incandescent then it is worthless for live plants.
Yeah. its incandescent, I'm looking to change to fluorescent. Would the cover I currently have work for a fluorescent bulb or would I have to change my cover? Probably get a fluorescent bulb at a hardware store or my lfs. Thanks everyone, very helpful!
steveywinet
02-21-2009, 3:41 PM
12 watts of incandescent over a 10G tank is not even considered low lighting. Ferts won't help you until you get the lighting taken care of. 10G aquariums don't seem to follow the usual watts/gallon rules as larger tanks. Do some research in this forum or ask for some help with lighting.
jpappy789
02-21-2009, 3:43 PM
Just for clarification there is no wpg "rule"
But if you have an incandescent fixture, spiral CFLs would work as replacements.
I have two 18 watt and two 23 watt spiral fluorescent bulbs in my garage, would it help if I replace the incandescent with the 18 watt?
I have two 18 watt and two 23 watt spiral fluorescent bulbs in my garage, would it help if I replace the incandescent with the 18 watt?
incandescent bulbs arnt that good with plants so replacing them with cfl spirals will really help
Ampkc
02-21-2009, 10:59 PM
Alright, I'll give a try, but also, my african fern in my 30-40 gallon tank is also doing the same thing. I have a fluorescent bulb for that plus I leave it on around 8 hours a day and it is still doing that. Any guesses on what is happening? (the tips of the leaves are starting to thin and become transparent!)
Ampkc
02-22-2009, 12:42 PM
I switched the incandescent to two 18 watt fluorescent bulbs, but I don't think that I can afford another light on top of my 30-40 gallon tank, (I was thinking that the reason was more to do with disease since all my plants are low light plants with the exception of the banana plant)
bluekrissyspike
02-22-2009, 3:02 PM
low light plants still need some good light. you can buy a cheapo shop light for twenty-ish dollars and the bulbs are super cheap as well. they aren't as attractive(or as good) as the 200 dollar ones but they still work fine as long as you are not trying to get into some of the more exotic plants
macbrush
02-23-2009, 2:55 AM
IMHO, if you're just looking at having a plant or two in a tank, don't bother with ferts and other stuff, they'll just go to your next nightmare, algae. Give it some more light, and just grow some easy stuff, usually the cheapest you can find in your LFS. It is near to impossible to get the ferts and other stuffs balanced as a planted tank if its not really a planted tank.
Jag1980
02-23-2009, 2:57 AM
Anubias and Java fern species are cool plants.
Yeah, ferts do seem a bit much, though I think I would have to get some in the long run if I am to make some of those showcase plant tanks. The upgraded light seems to be helping, and I just checked my 30-40 gallon tank and it is only lit with one 30 watt fluorescent tube... will I be able to upgrade this to save my african fern? Should I? thanks!
Jag1980
02-23-2009, 3:28 AM
Upgrading your light fixture to save a plant ?
bluekrissyspike
02-23-2009, 8:52 AM
Upgrading your light fixture to save a plant ?
i've done it.
you might be able to find a tube with higher watts at the hardware store or lps. i'd go that way first before adding another fixture, if it's possible.