Coloured plants--> They're giving me headache!

bloodpain · Member Joined: 13 Jun 2004 Posts: 136 Location: Singapore

Help! I don't know why my plants are shedding leaves. It was the coloured ( red, etc) which always shed..and start to rot, whereas I had no problem with the green ones.. Crying or Very sad

I had different species but only the coloured ones give me problems.. I cannot afford a big co2 tank which cost more than $100. All I had was a co2 depot which is quite small and cost me about $6 which cannot be refilled. Confused

I recently bought a co2 diffuser.. Can anyone tell me why it happened? My temperature now is about 27-29C.. the pH is about 6.5.. I just plant my plants together with the pot inside it.. Do anyone have tips for a well-planted tank and other planting tips? Your advice will be very much be appreciated! Surprised

J_acon · Member Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 115 Location: Melbourne

Some coloured plants are not 100% aquatic, i heard that some can be under water for a period of time before they die. Check with your LFS, doesn't seem like you need CO2 for them, since ur green plants are doing fine.

bloodpain · Member Joined: 13 Jun 2004 Posts: 136 Location: Singapore

Thanks.. but the problem was that after a week and a few days.. they started shedding leaves.

tina1 · Senior Member Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 651

The majority of colored plants that are aquatic require a lot of light. Usually between 4.5 to 5 watts of light per gallon of water. In addition to this they need the co2, liquid fertilizers, and a good substrate. If one of these factors aren't "up to snuff" the plants will usually not last more than a week or so Sad

As a general rule, the more red or purple a plant has in it the higher the light it needs. Try some low light plants instead like java fern, amazon sword, or some anubias. Usually co2 won't help your plants unless you have 2.5 watts per gallon of light anyway.

HTH

OneWolvesDream · Super Senior Member Joined: 10 Apr 2004 Posts: 1175

well there could be a few probolems there. 1st. your water is acidic and the lighting could be to poor for your plant. they tend to die quickly without the right lighting. you could have temp probs. to us what is perfict could be bad for the plant.

bloodpain · Member Joined: 13 Jun 2004 Posts: 136 Location: Singapore

thanks guys.. o well, i've got 2 very strong lights.. and i gave them fertilisers.... still I dunno the reason why.. Sad

bloodpain · Member Joined: 13 Jun 2004 Posts: 136 Location: Singapore

my ph is about 6.5, and the temperature is about 29C..