Frogbit Problem

[SimpinShrimp]

Hey guys I was wondering if you could help me…
I feel a bit ashamed but my frogbit is looking like a mess. I’ve been cycling this 25l lidless tank for about 4months:
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrates: 20ppm at most
PH: 6.8
All my plants have been in it since the start and for the most part they’ve been doing great. In the past month or so the frogbit has been looking worse for wear leaves turning pale to white before browning and dying. Other than diatoms and a slight bit of hair algae towards the surface where the light penetrates the most all of my other plants look fine. It’s a low tech tank using a Superfish nano light that I do 12hrs on/off on a timer.

I do a 30% water change once a week and for the past few weeks I’ve been adding one pump (2ml) of tropica specialised fertiliser to see if I can address any deficiencies but it doesn’t seem to be working. At this point I’m debating on just removing it all but if possible I would really love to save it any tips or advice I’d really appreciate it.
I forgot to add the only stocking I have at the moment is a group of orange rilli shrimp that have been doing pretty well already breeding and the odd pest snail.

 

[hypnogogia]

It will be nutrient related. Floating plants are not CO2 limited, so any issues with growth are a result of lack of nutrients. Increase fertiliser to two pumps per week.

 

[simon_the_plant_nerd]

Some of it looks a bit peely wally but some of the growth looks really nice. Get some fertiliser in there and it should perk up.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,
Welcome to UKAPS,

but my frogbit is looking like a mess.

I can see what you mean. Frogbit is actually the indicator plant that I use for the "Duckweed Index"- <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?">, and, looking at your image, this (below) is <"where I think we are">.

It will be nutrient related.

I'm pretty sure it is a non-mobile nutrient, and I would be very surprised if it wasn't an issue with <"plant available iron (Fe)">. It is just that the new leaves are pale and chlorotic.

Floating plants are not CO2 limited, so any issues with growth are a result of lack of nutrients

Have a look at the <"Aerial Advantage">.

cheers Darrel

 

[Connswater]

my plants have been in it since the start and for the most part they’ve been doing great

As others have said, it is an indicator plant, so quick to tell you something is amiss, your location is UK, a county or city helps because folks here will often know your water hardness. If using tap water hard water presents one major challenge, lack of accessible Iron. 20 ppm of Nitrate would be fine but the plants need Iron to utilise the Nitrate. Sequestered Iron is available in all garden centres, some products are more universally applicable than others, but adding a very small amount of sequestered iron at every water change is necessary with hard water.
In hard water parts of the country many a sickly houseplant can be saved by using a chelated iron product with every watering.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

If using tap water hard water presents one major challenge, lack of accessible Iron.

Iron (Fe) deficiency is one we see quite frequently, probably because it is one of the few nutrient deficiencies that is easy to diagnose.

your location is UK, a county or city helps because folks here will often know your water hardness.

It does, a map here: <"Some handy facts about water">.

Sequestered Iron is available in all garden centres, some products are more universally applicable than others, but adding a very small amount of sequestered iron at every water change is necessary with hard water.

It is: <"Consistency Deficiency">, using this product <"https://www.gardenworld.co.uk/product/sequestered-iron-plant-tonic/"> or <"Chempak® Sequestered Iron with Magnesium & Manganese | Thompson & Morgan">.

If you have <"really hard water">? You may need a better chelator for higher pH levels <"FE EDDHA">.

cheers Darrel

 

[SimpinShrimp]

Hey guys,
Thank you so much for all of your detailed responses I really appreciate it. I’m from the Stoke On Trent area and I’ll be honest I don’t know how hard our water is but I will find out.

Would you recommend upping the specialised tropica dose in addition to adding iron or carry on with the 2ml a week plus iron separately? Apologies for asking so many questions just want to cover all bases.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

I’m from the Stoke On Trent area and I’ll be honest I don’t know how hard our water is but I will find out.

Via Severn-Trent water <"Check my water quality | Water Quality | My Supply | Severn Trent Water">, but this may help: <"JBL ProScape Plant Soil">.

Via the Severn Trent Water web site (search was "Trentham Gardens - ST4 8AX") the value was ~13.5 dGH

or carry on with the 2ml a week plus iron separately?

Probably that one at the moment. Because iron (Fe) isn't mobile within the plant it is only new leaves, that have grown while iron is available, that will be healthy. Have a look at <"We've talked about iron deficiency, but what are going to do about it?">

Plant growth is like a <"car assembly line">, you need all the <"fourteen essential plant nutrients"> available <"Liebig's law of the minimum - Wikipedia">, or you don't get any growth.

cheers Darrel

 

[Nuno da Silva]

Would you recommend upping the specialised tropica dose in addition to adding iron or carry on with the 2ml a week plus iron separately? Apologies for asking so many questions just want to cover all bases.

Hello,
Try to make one change at a time so you can track its consequences. Add DPTA Fe first and wait a few weeks. If that doesn't work, start increasing the general fertilizer as well.

Another thing. The Fe is not stable and ideally you should add it daily.

Good luck