[Jeffww]

Something interesting is happening with my plants...They are having pale leaves BUT the leaves all return to normal color after the lights have been off for awhile. The deficiency suggests that it's of a mobile nutrient or something that's already present in enough amount in the tank but quickly is consumed or becomes limiting. Anyone have any idea?

I'm guessing it could even be CO2 deficiency....as that's the only thing I can imagine that would be used quickly and then replenish itself after a period of darkness. The phenomenon occurs in as little as 30 minutes actually...

 

[mistergreen]

If you list your lights, CO2, and nutrients, it would help.

 

[Jeffww]

Pressurized co2. Run on a solenoid. DC with 4dkh is always yellow
Ferts is modified EI
Lights are 48watt T5HO on a 16" deep tank with 5" clearance.
I was using RO water reconstituted with barr booster or whatever but I just switched to tap to see if that'd fix the problem.


GH:6
kH no idea around 4-6
pH: 6.8
Nitrates: 20ppm
phos:2ppm

...It feels as though I'm doing it right...I just can't figure out what's wrong lol.

Interestingly enough my 20 long with similar conditions doesn't show any sign of deficiency. It does have ~80ppm nitrates but that's just that tank.

 

[chad320]

Are you getting Mg and Ca in your dosing?

 

[Jeffww]

Yes. Plenty of it through barr's gh booster in my macro solution...I have no idea what's going on. I mean what kind of deficiency only occurs in the light and then goes away in the dark?

 

[chad320]

And its all color and not curling?

 

[Jeffww]

My R. gia lai has some curling but that's just that plant not really worried about it. Everybody else is fine...

 

[Jeffww]

Anyone have an idea?

 

[WaveSurfer]

I'm not sure about this plant, but I read that some plants do change colour under strong lighting, such as Tenellus. Not sure if it's related...