Loosing plants

Carol

I have a 90 gal. w/beautiful angels. Going on 3 years now, all live plants, beautiful setup. Recently I did a major cleaning, now all my live plants are fading fast. I have check water conditions, all check good. Have lost 2 tetras and 1 mollie. All the plants and fish in my tank are the ones I started with, ( except for 8 of the angels which I raised from the only mated pair of angels I start with)
Anyone have any suggestions as to why my plants would suddenly start dying off? Hate to loose them after 3 years of much success.
Carol

Trish

Hmm, I don't know. Maybe you should try using some type of minearl or tablet for the plants. I'm sure their are some in a pet store. It could be possible that they aren't getting enough nutrients.

Carol

Well, I am using c02 and peat. Also have heat cable in bottom of tank. Any other suggestions?
Carol

kelkat

It may be that you are giving them too much water

Seriously, though. What do you mean by "fading fast". It's hard to know what might be killing them if I don't know more about their condition. Are they browning and then dieing? Are they looking wilted (although I can't even picture and aquatic plant wilting)? Did you add anything different during the cleaning?

I'll try to help, just let me know more.

lindsey

Have you checked the PH in the water prior to treating the water in the tank. The local water company may be putting higher amount of chemicals in water. And have you added any new objects or fish in the tank as well?

Jay

Hi Carol

I agree with Kelkat, more information is needed to help focus on the problem.

That fish and plants are dieing is a major concern.

Can you tell us...

What does major cleaning mean?
Did you use an algaecide?

Substrate is?
How heavily planted the tank is. A planted tank with fish, or a fish tank with some plants.
Can you describe what "dieing off" looks like?
CO2 = injection, diy. What is the PPM
NO3=PPM
PO4=PPM
Trace dosing?
KH
GH
pH

I'm sure we can help if we can get a clear picture of what's going on.

Jay

LadyViper

Perhaps Jay and Kelkat make house calls. Maybe try taking some closeup pics of the plants, I am sure they can help you if the know the extent of the problem.

Jay

There are two camps when it comes to plants...

Aquariums with fish and plants.
Planted Aquariums with fish. I am in this camp. The hobby for me involves keeping a healthy, lush, aquatic garden of specimen plantings AND a collection of specimen tropical fish and critters. It's a zen thing

The three requirements for success with plants are

1. Light in sufficient intensity. (don't let people tell you it has to be their super deluxe plant growing bulb on sale today for a zillion dollars, nonsense!)

2. A reliable and consistent source of carbon. (lots of discussion to be had here )

3. Supplying the plants with a consistent program of the nutrients (food) they need. Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphate etc.

It is not rocket science, but it requires some new learning, care and attention to routine, monitoring, and maintenance.

The first decision to make is what your vision is...a few plants for accent or a planted tank.

Jay

fishboy

This is why I recommend getting a full testing kit, one that tests for everything.
Exactly what tests did you do on the water to determine that its ok?