Low Light Plants? Suggestions

[countryfan05]

My tank is 26 gallons bow front and has a planted background. My swords, corkscrew looking things, and Anacharis seem to die (turn yellow and fall apart) at the bottom. I have a nice light the LFS sold me I think 55 watt? Rotala Magenta does really well back there but I already have a lot of that. I use flourish tabs but that is it. Any suggestions for good background plants that are low light? Or how I can better keep these alive? Thanks.





(I posted this in the general forum and then realized there was a plant forum - sorry).

 

[Purrbox]

What are your Nitrate and Phosphate readings? I've got a feeling you may need to start dosing some ferts.

Here's a link to a page on Nutrient Deficiencies.

 

[countryfan05]

My Phosphates are low .25 but I had an ammonia problem about three weeks ago it spiked to 2.0 and then to 4.0. I added 8 fish, that is the only thing I can think that caused it. I did a huge water change and added biospira but then my ammonia went to .25 and now my nitrates are 40ppm. I have been doing water changes (about 10%) every other day but the nitrates aren't coming down. BUT I have always had issues keeping these plants, they just turn yellow at the bottom and die. Some things grow well, like the Rotella and my dwarf lillies, etc.

 

[Jchillin]

Interesting that the low-light plants aren't doing well. I saw your original thread and I'm thinking it's the light spectrum. Can you look at the tube and see what is written on it?

 

[Purrbox]

Phosphates should be kept somewhere between 20:1 and 10:1 ratio between Nitrateshosphates. With only .25 PO4 your plants aren't able to use most of the Nitrates. Since your Nitrates are a bit high right now, I would probably try dosing PO4 to say 1 or 2 ppm.

Sounds more like they are rotting off at the bottom with your additional description. This makes me suspect that there may be a substrate problem. Do you have gravel, sand, or something else for your substrate?

 

[countryfan05]

Interesting that the low-light plants aren't doing well. I saw your original thread and I'm thinking it's the light

It doesn't say anything, the box says 55 watt compact. Here are some photos: (I removed the dead plants they are usually on each side in the back filling that area):