Holes in Ludwigia Leaves

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TonyN

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Mar 31, 2004
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I have two medium size Red Ludwigia, that I've had for a month or so. Lately they've been starting to look pretty ragged. Lots of holes in the leaves, almost like they're rotting away.
I have a very heavily planted 20 gallon tank, and this is the only plant I'm having any problems with.
Anybody have any ideas on what I can do to get these guys back to health?
BTW, I've never noticed any fish nibbling on them.

20 Gallons
65w 50/50 Coralife Aqualight
2 hagen CO2 systems
Empire filter and the small Eheim Ecco
Using the whole line of Flourish nutrients twice a week, and Flourish excel every day.
kH: 3.2, pH 6.8, CO2: about 15 to 18 ppm

Thanks
 
IME Ludwigia is sensitive to potassium deficiency. If you're dosing only the recommended amount of Flourish K, you need much more. Use the little formula on the bottle to get about 15-20 ppm. You'll notice this is quite a lot, and Flourish may not be the most cost-effective way to dose K. Try many of the other sources available (see the sticky at the top of the forum). I use the salt substitute KCl, which is sold as NuSalt or NoSalt.
My Ludwigia loved the extra potassium, and looks so much healthier since.
 
Agree with Starry on the above.
Are they getting ragged on the bottom of the plant. Sometimes the tops crowd out the light and the bottoms can get ratty looking. For this reason, I keep them short and continually pull up the plant and replant the tops. For me, the root systems are only good for 2 -3 prunings, and then need to be pulled and the tops replanted.
If you are doing this, the odds are a nutrient deficiency is the problem.

Len
 
Ok - thanks guys. I havent been pruning them at all, so I'll go ahead and do that now. I just added some No-Salt, according to the instructions in the sticky. I also have some Flourish Potassium which I have been dosing, but I guess not enough. I'll start increasing the dosage on that.
Is it possible to overdose on potassium?
 
It's difficult, but not impossible. Be careful with K if you dose KNO3 which has K in it as well.
I would go with either the Flourish K or KCl. 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. of KCl per 20 gals. after weekly water change. Start with 1/4 and look for response. And prune to allow light to reach the bottoms of the plants.

Len
 
Ok - I'm using KNO3 which I mixed with water and Green Light Stump Remover, according to the calculator on Chucks Planted Aquarium Page. (pretty neat - Thanks Chuck). I'm using it mainly for the Nitrogen.
I'll keep dosing this and also add some Flourish Potassium and keep an eye on things.

Thanks
 
Most people shoot for 20ppm of K.
Chuck's will tell you how much K you're dosing from KCl and how much from KNO3. Try to keep it in the 20ppm range.
And don't forget the weekly water change. Very important.

Len
 
Ok - I've figured out exactly what to add and how much it will raise my K. But how do I figure out what my K is in the first place? I've called every LFS within 50 miles and I've scoured the web and I cant find a Potassium test kit anywhere.
Anybody know where I can get one? (I dont even know if there is such a thing).
 
Don't buy a test kit for K. They are notoriously inaccurate and not worth the money.
Use Chuck's calculator and dose the amount suggested for your tank. That will put you in the right neighborhood.

Len
 
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