what is wrong with my Aponogeton madagascariensis

**jonas** · 17th Mar 2009, 17:31

The older leaves of my Aponogeton madagascariensis are having brown patches. whereas the young leaves are healthy with lighter green. What nutrient deficiency causes this ?

Currently dosing following PPS pro, autodose. 3 bps CO2 and chiller at 25deg.C and 4wpg of light.

**Verminator** · 18th Mar 2009, 07:10

Obvious one to call would be lack of Iron? I think Jervis would be the one to ask

He seemed to have great success with this plant. Alls i know is this plant makes high demands on water quality and is generally a difficult plant to keep. Thus i avoid it personally, beautifull plant though.

**jonas** · 18th Mar 2009, 11:51

I suspected iron deficiency initially, but my red plants seems to indicate that iron is sufficient.

**blue33** · 18th Mar 2009, 12:10

Inconsistent CO2 maybe one of your problem, due to using DIY CO2 you have there. You can have 3-6bps in that tank but is not efficiently mix into the water also no use. My 0.002 cents.

**jonas** · 18th Mar 2009, 12:19

Hi Blue33, you are indeed observant, my picture may have mislead you. In fact the bottle is distilled water meant for top up of the liquid in the bubble counter.

My CO2 is supply through 5kg tank on 24 hour at 3bbs. Mixing is by external diffuser and I have added a small pump in the tank to help with the water circulation.

PH is 6.4 to 6.8

**blue33** · 18th Mar 2009, 12:30

24hr CO2 at 3bps?

Things sure went wrong with your filter with 24hr CO2 on, bb sure suffer, and your water condition will be BAD which is really bad for "Aponogeton madagascariensis" grow, as top water condition is their priority to grow. Another thing which i notice is lots of people facing problem with either diffuser and external reactor, they claim the bps and CO2 mixing well which is not, lots of time is CO2 problem, do add abit of potassium for your plant during lights on, they need that to open the stomach to consume nutrients etc... Btw what is your KH?

**jonas** · 18th Mar 2009, 13:51

Thanks Blue33, Kh is 3 deg.

**CK Yeo** · 18th Mar 2009, 13:53

First, I think it is a Aponogeton henkelianus. Aponogeton madagascariensis is much wider.

My guess is Potassium deficiency since looks like only affect old leaves.
Iron is a immobile micro nutrient, i.e. you will only see symptoms on new leaves.

ck

**jonas** · 18th Mar 2009, 18:13

Thanks CK for giving the correct name of the plant.

I am dosing Macro which contain KNo3, Kh2Po4, K2So4 and MgSo4.
Is the potassium (K) same as the K in the Macro ? (sorry I am noob in chemistry).

**CK Yeo** · 18th Mar 2009, 20:28

I vaguely remember Mg can interfere with K uptake. How much you dosing? Identifying nutrient deficiency from visual symptoms is really just educated guesses.

ck

**PeterGwee** · 18th Mar 2009, 21:58

PPS Pro? Depending on test kits without proper standards for calibration? That and the high light is a sure fire way for issues. Drive the plant demand high with high light and skim on the food for plants. How's that for comfort.

Regards,
Peter Gwee