help my plants

[mom2reds]

I have a sword plant at least that is what i think it is. I have had it since march and know the leaves are starting to lose their color you can see through them. I use a fresh water fert. one a week I opnly have two plants in a ten gall. tank.

Thanks tess

 

[ringfinger]

Sounds like you might need to add a little potassium...

It would help a lot to know what kind of light you have, and the brand of fert and dosage you are using.

 

[Tong]

This happens to sword plants when they don't get enough light. I am assuming your 10 gallon has a single 18" bulb on it. IME, a single 18" bulb can barely keep a sword alive. I think it would be a good idea to do some or all of the following:

1) Replace your bulb. (Depends on how old the bulb is of course)
2) Upgrade your lighting.
3) Add CO2. (This helps a little)
4) Replace sword with lower light plants. (Most swords get too big for a 10 gallon anyway)

 

[JRagg]

I've got a 10 gallon tank too. My Red Melon Sword looked horrible under the standard 15W flourescent bulb that came with it. It was dying, and I contemplated taking it out.

Upgraded my lighting and went with some DIY CO2. I added some ferts, and they have taken off. Looking completely different, and much much better.

And yeah, i can see it getting way too big for my 10 gallon tank, but I don't want to pitch it. It looks too good.

 

[TwoHobbies]

Start with root tabs, then potassium.

The liquid form will be fine for a 10gal.

 

[fish_4_all]

CO2 and a good root tab as well as potassium. I grew an absolutely monsters Red Melon Sword in a 10 gallon with 15 watts of light and DIY CO2. When I switched to higher light I removed it because it just grew faster.