Need help with plants melting

**IrvineChen** · 28th Oct 2014, 21:55

I have the following plants in my 2 feet x 1 feet x 1 feet tank, been in the tank for about 2 weeks.
They are starting to turn yellow. Some are even melting.

Soil is H.E.L.P advanced soil for plant.
P.H : 6.5
CO2 : 2-3 bubble per sec
Dosing Seachem Excel daily (5ml)
JBL Ferropol Weekly (5ml)
Light : 2 feet Pro Z series

**IrvineChen** · 29th Oct 2014, 00:58

The 3rd picture is the plant elatine gratioloides? Waterwort? Would be glad if anyone could ID it, truly appreciate it.

**jiajuen900** · 29th Oct 2014, 01:26

Could be due to the plants converting to their immersed form. Plants like HG and HC are typically grown emersed hence they have a tendency to melt before they grow new immersed leaves.

By the way, what is the white substrate in the 1st and 3rd pic?

**IrvineChen** · 29th Oct 2014, 07:58

Sand... to create some design.. but got ruin, so left them inside as is position.

**Phillipians** · 30th Oct 2014, 20:00

You need to dose Nitrogen Phosphorous and Potassium. The 3 basic elements.
Help advanced soil alone will probably not be enough. Lights should be alright but i see that you only dose excel which you do not really need as you have co2 already. Also after NPK you need to think of micro elements too. Do check up on ferka, seachem and also borneo wild ferts. If money is no object then look at ada ferts. If poor like a church mouse like i am haha then go for lushgrow micros and lushgrow macros aqua

**IrvineChen** · 30th Oct 2014, 20:05

I worry is not due to fertilise issue.. If I from T8 light convert to Pro Z led, will the plant be affected?

**Phillipians** · 30th Oct 2014, 20:09

I am not a fan of UP aqua lightings but they do work for many of the forumers here. Some reasons for melting
1) fertilisation is poor
2) plants adapting to immersed form
3) lighting mot strong but since yours is 30 cm height it should be enough
4) new environment plants tend to melt first. If melting is not too bad then it will regrow

**IrvineChen** · 30th Oct 2014, 20:22

I could see new plant is growing.. but the plant I got is submerge form.. so that why I am wondering why they still go through the transition period

**jiajuen900** · 30th Oct 2014, 20:29

Even if you get then in the submerged form some plants will melt off due the change in tank conditions (e.g. pH or Temp changes) while they adapt to the new water parameters. Usually will bounce back and resume growth much faster .

**Phillipians** · 30th Oct 2014, 20:42

However still take note of your fert regime. Still lacks some elements here and there. Your soil can aid in ensuring that the plants are good now. But long term you need to start dosing again