[amcoffeegirl]

I have a 14 gallon tank newly planted. about 3wks old. ive been using the fluval co2 on it with iron tabs in a gravel substrate. my sagittaria is yellowing and some leaves are dying. The bacopa is yellowing and has holes in some leaves. i experienced some crypt melt. the swords seem ok. my lights are on a timer for 81/2 hrs. and ive been dosing ada green brighty. so i dont think my plants are doing too good. i also have some hair grass in the front but its turning brown also. i think my tanks where i have no co2 and add an airstone are doing better than this tank. maybe i just need to wait a few more weeks but is there any advice you can give me to make my plants healthy and green. the fish are 6flame tetras and some cherry shrimp.

 

[Optix]

gravel substrate is inert...so your plants are probably running nutrient deficiencies
you need to dose something besides Iron and K (potassium)

look for a complete liquid fertilizer or complete dry fertilizer (to save significant money)

...you have some reading/research to do on healthy plant growth

 

[amcoffeegirl]

I also use kent plant pro. and yes i have alot to learn about planted tanks. i have had plants before but never a fully planted tank. its kinda cool. even when i had a ug filter i had some nice swords. i will see how this goes i guess.

 

[shrimpNewbie]

if you can, purchase 00 gauge gel caps on amazon, and go to osh if available and get osmocotePlus, fill the caps with the osmocote and use that as root tabs, you will be surprised by the difference in your heavy rooting plants

 

[Optix]

the kent plant pro is an incomplete fertilizer as well (1-0-0)

the osmocote trick is a good idea but make ice cicles if you cant find the gel caps readily...and also, a LITTLE goes a LONG way with the osmocote

 

[150EH]

You have to have equal parts of light, CO2, and nutrients for good growth, what's missing?