Help with Amazon Swords

[flipsta]

Hello All

I have a 29gal tank with a Marineland Eclipse 2 Lid (Filter and Light). I recently planted some Amazon Swords to make things look nicer. The leaves seem to get almost transparent and break-down. Last night I added Seachem Flourish Tabs to the gravel in hopes to help them out.

How can I can I keep these alive? Or should I not try to grow them in my conditions? Should I add a CO2 set-up?

Thanks!!!

 

[jasonG75]

Water conditions 72-82° F, KH 3-8, pH 6.5-7.5

a loose substrate and an iron-rich fertilizer must be used, and moderate to high light.

You might not have enough light.

 

[Bubbles2112]

...You might not have enough light.

:iagree: A 29g is a tall tank and most stock lighting is not enough for a planted tank.

 

[coach_z]

i was going to say there might not be enough light....

 

[jbradt]

I agree with the possibility of not enough light. I would also add some root tabs if you're not using an enriched substrate. Swords are heavy root feeders.

 

[jasonG75]

I agree with the possibility of not enough light. I would also add some root tabs if you're not using an enriched substrate. Swords are heavy root feeders.

This is why I am not a fan of gravel in planted tanks...he did mention "Last night I added Seachem Flourish Tabs to the gravel in hopes to help them out."

 

[tharsis]

Yeah, what is the wattage of your lights? You should be able to grow an amazon sword with just over 1 WPG of flourescent in that tank.

I had a low light 55 gallon (64 Watts of T12 flourescent lighting) and was able to grow the swords in a sand substrate with no CO2 and only root tabs. They grow slow but they will get there, mine started out at 2" and grew to over 18" in 8 months. A 29 gallon is slightly shorter so if you are around 1 WPG you should be ok.The key is to give it alot of root tabs.

There is also a period of adjustment for swords, often times they are grown emmersed to be sold so when you submerse them the old leaves die off and new ones grow in.

If you just planted them recently I wouldn't really worry just yet.

 

[jasonG75]

There is also a period of adjustment for swords, often times they are grown emmersed to be sold so when you submerse them the old leaves die off and new ones grow in.

If you just planted them recently I wouldn't really worry just yet.

:iagree:

 

[fishycat]

Could be transition from emersed to submersed... Could be leaf melt while the plant adjusts to your water conditions...

Any pics? We like pics.

 

[flipsta]

i will try to snap some pics... i live pics too!!!

should i be cutting the melting leaves off... if they are all melted/transparent, half or have any trace?

where do i cut the leaves off at?

thanks yall.