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[APD] trace element problem?
I have a persistent problem with chlorotic plants in a 20 gallon high
aquarium, and I can't figure out what is missing.
Here are the specs:
KH - ~4
GH - ~5
pH - ~7
pressurized CO2
55 watts PC lighting
50:50 gravel and flourite mix
undergravel filter with powerhead
Daily dosing with 1 ml flourish, 1 ml Flourish iron. Recently started adding
Flourish Trace
30-40% weekly water change, at which time I add 1/4 tsp KNO3, 1/4 Tsp K2SO4,
1/2 tsp epsom salts, 1ml flourish phosphorus. I also add additional Flourish
and Fl. Iron at water changes to make up for that which is lost.
Critters include 8 neon tetras, 10+ Heterandria formosa, 8 shrimp, and two
Otocinclus.
Small amounts of blue green algae and black brush algae are present. Riccia,
java moss, and Lysimachia nummularia grow well and do not appear to be
suffering nutrient deficiencies. Other stem plants grow slowly with very
short internodes and become very chlorotic. New growth on some recently
added Rotala indica is almost white, but the leaves are larger than the
previous growth.
What gives? Is it possible that trace elements are being oxidized by the
undergravel filter before the plants can use them? Am I overdosing on
something and throwing the plants' nutrition out of whack? Is this aquarium
just an endless sink for iron and other trace elements?
I wondered if copper from our plumbing could be a problem, but the shrimp are
fine.
Would photographs help the diagnosis?
Nick
--
Nicholas Plummer
nickplummer at att_net
Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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