[StealthyStella]

I have a 6 gallon betta tank about 6 months old.
I don’t test the water parameters any more, it’s been completely stable for quite awhile. Periodic top ups. Small water change every 2 months or so when I clean the sponges in the filter and stir up bits it missed. Fairly hard water. Under Black diamond blasting sand I have a good layer of garden soil, Teramin clay, and worm castings. I use a few drops of seachem Flourish sometimes. All the plants are doing spectacularly except the Alternanthera.

The ones in the bright light are pink, but they are frayed and full of holes. The ramshorn snails nibble on them even if I feed them or they have algae to eat. The plants in the darkest corner, that you can see in the back of this picture, are the healthiest, they are fuller, taller, and mostly untouched. I though they would prefer the bright light, but in another tank I have way more snails, no fertilizer, the Alternanthera there is even more shaded, and that plant is also healthier looking. I’m getting frustrated and ready to take them out but I really wanted the color in here! Any suggestions? What am I missing??

 

[LidijaPN]

So this is an old thread on this topic you might find fun if you're really into the chemistry of plant nutrition Holes in my Alternanthera reineckii leaves

Also for what it's worth this seems to happen to a lot of people with the alternanthera.... Maybe go for an easier red? Ludwigia palustris? Something?

 

[StealthyStella]

So this is an old thread on this topic you might find fun if you're really into the chemistry of plant nutrition Holes in my Alternanthera reineckii leaves

Also for what it's worth this seems to happen to a lot of people with the alternanthera.... Maybe go for an easier red? Ludwigia palustris? Something?

Thank you! I’ll check it out- it just seemed so strange that the ones in the shade are doing best. I’ll probably have to get a different plant lol

I was also curious if I should snip them off and replant them for a kind of restart

 

[LidijaPN]

Thank you! I’ll check it out- it just seemed so strange that the ones in the shade are doing best. I’ll probably have to get a different plant lol

Just guessing here but when they have more light they can take in more nutrients.... so if it is an excess of a nutrient like that thread suggests maybe it's worse in the lit plants because they're taking in more of it and 'overdosing themselves' so to speak? The guy at the fish store was comparing it to food and breathing.... like however much food someone offers you (the nutrients available in the tank), if he's pinching your nose closed at the same time so you can't breathe, (i.e. there is not a lot of light available for the plant) you won't be able to eat the food....