Hygrophila polysperma problem

[Cichlid Woman]

Hi.

I noticed some problems this morning with my hygrophila. Some of the leaves are turning very light (going yellow to almost white) from the tips inward, and a lot of the leaves have black dots on them. It's not algae--it's in the middle areas of the leaves, and the black dots seem to progress to creating little pinholes in the leaves. It doesn't look good--something's wrong.

Light is a bit over 1 watt/gal, pH is 7.2, and I'm using gravel fertilizer with weekly doses of Fluorish. Temp is 78 degrees. The plant's only recent problem is that one of my fish (don't know which one) was doing some nibbling on it--that seems to have stopped recently, though. Most of the plant was uninjured.

I love this plant--can anyone help?

Thanks,

-- Pat

 

[irishspy]

Originally posted by Cichlid Woman

I love this plant--can anyone help?

Hi Pat,

I'm not a plant expert, but your light seems a bit low to me at 1 watt per gallon. I think Hygrophila likes higher light intensities. If you can, try bumping it to two or more WPG to see if that helps.

good luck,
--Anthony

 

[Cichlid Woman]

Thanks Anthony, that's on my wish list ... I did a bit of research, and it could be crypt disease, caused by replacing two very old fluorescents recently.

Can non-crypts get this disease?

-- Pat

 

[RockysDad]

I use this plant as a nutrient indicater. If they turn pale and limp looking then I know I am low on nutrients. Its usually lack of nitrates that starts making this plant unhappy. I follow up by adding some Flourish and Flourish iron if they don't perk up in a week or so.

Start by adding some KNO3 and see what happens. Shoot for a range of 10-20ppm. Search this site for Stump Removers and this should give you an idea of what is required. Also, having a nitrate test kit is one test kit that I highly recommend.

 

[southrock]

Hygro was one of the first plants I had when I set up my tank, and I ran into the same problem. I had 2 WPG, and the plant grew like crazy, but older leaves would get the holes. I think when I started adding KNO3 and K2SO4 (Potassium) it helped a lot, but never really stopped it from happening. What kind of substrate ferts are you using? I set up my tank using Laterite, and I was wondering if that may be the common thread between us.

BTW, you can get the potassium either at your LFS or from a hydroponic supply store. I use ECO, don't have a link though. (sorry)

I'll stay tuned...

-SR

 

[Cichlid Woman]

Thanks, guys--I'm using plain gravel substrate, and they get Flourish (regular) once a week. I don't have a nitrate test kit (yet).

-- Pat