How long for my Echinodorus to start showing submersed leaf growth after loss of emersed leaves ?

[hamfist]

Having just set up my first "large" planted tank I decided to have a go at a variety of Echinodorus species (a first for me). Planted around a month ago, none of the 5 x Echinodorus plants have shown any real new growth. 2 of them have lost all their leaves and the others are mostly also looking a little worse for wear. The anubias and crypts (from my established tanks) are looking decent with signs of growth already despite a change in water chemistry. I'm just wondering when I might reasonably expect to see signs of new submersed growth from the Echinodorus ? I'm fairly new at this game so don't have to much experience to draw on. I guess after a certain amount of time it might be reasonable to assume that a leafless plant crown is in fact dead.

Many thanks to anyone who feels able to advise.

Tank details -
500 litres
25 C
8dGH, 4dKH
pH 7.8
Around 7 x tank volume hourly filter turnover.
Inert substrate.
Seachem root tabs and weekly "Dennerle Liquid Plus" all in one fert at the recommeded dose, plus weekly EDDHA-chelated iron (enough to give a tinge of red).
Reasonably high fish load.
Weekly 50% WC.
Lighting - Hygger LED units. Low to medium lighting, 7 hour period. No idea of the actual PAR.

 

[hypnogogia]

Inert substrate.

I think this might be your problem as Echinoderms like rich substrate. Are you putting your Seachem root tabs at the base of the Echinodorus?

 

[LMuhlen]

I suggest that you list the Echinodorus that you bought, as some of them may be more fragile, or grow faster than others. Could be also relevant to know if you bought them from in-vitro culture.

While I don't have a lot of experience, I wouldn't expect an Echinodorus to lose all of its leaves during the transition, so my guess is that the ones that did are dead. You could try poking them to see if they are mushy or not.

 

[Connswater]

Echinoderms like rich substrate

Absolutely, I have grown them in very hard water with no injected CO2 but with Streptocarpus plant food tabs - rich in Potassium - NPK 7-10-25, yes I know, 25, and weekly additions of sequestered iron to the water column. Many species grow very large even in a modest aquarium if light is good and there is plenty of nutrition. I mean two the three feet across with 75 plus leaves. Monsters in fact.

 

[hamfist]

Thanks guys. To answer the questions .... I was aware that they definitely like root feeding so each one has at least 1, if not 2, root tabs directly under its roots.

The individual species/strains are ......

Echinodorus 'Reni'
Echinodorus Rosé
Echinodorus cordifolius 'Fluitans'
Echinodorus Barthii
Echinodorus Ozelot Green

All were Tropica products and none were from their tissue culture range. Of them all its the Ozelot which is currently looking the best.