Oriental sword dying

[ThatPlantedTank]

I've moved it 3 times and I don't have high gravel but my other plant is doing good. Any suggestions? Or is it even dying? The furthest back plant is the one that I'm worried about

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Do you use root tabs?

 

[ThatPlantedTank]

I do not.

 

[Scottyhorse]

Swords are heavy root feeders and should have root tabs.

 

[Mumma.of.two]

I would add some and see if it perks up after a few weeks.

 

[ThatPlantedTank]

How much are they?

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Some can be expensive. I use diy osmocote tabs. There are lots of threads on them if you do a search.

 

[ThatPlantedTank]

My gravel is also a thin layer. My mom isn't very wealthy so I can't get gravel. But maybe tabs. Either one it the other

 

[ThatPlantedTank]

What are the DIY ones?

 

[ThatPlantedTank]

And does the plant look okay to you or does it look bad?

 

[Mumma.of.two]

How thick is the gravel?
The tabs are just osmocote (terrestrial plant food) put into empty pill casings, frozen in ice or wrapped in a thin layer of tissue paper and inserted into the substrate.
It's not dying but it doesn't look as good as it should. Is it new to the tank?

 

[ThatPlantedTank]

The gravel is about half an inch and terrestrial what? Can you explain what that is? And yes I just transfered from a planted 10 with about 3 inches of black gravel.

 

[Mumma.of.two]

The gravel is about half an inch and terrestrial what? Can you explain what that is? And yes I just transfered from a planted 10 with about 3 inches of black gravel.

Gravel is a bit shallow but it shouldn't matter too much. Osmocote is used on pot plants and in the garden. Plants that are not aquatic like the ones we have in our tanks. The transfer will knock it around a bit but with some fertilizers and some time it should be fine.

 

[ThatPlantedTank]

Coulld I use vigero organic potting soil and freeze it in ice cubes?

 

[Coursair]

Coulld I use vigero organic potting soil and freeze it in ice cubes?

I wouldn't. Soil needs a good cap or it will get messy fast. You can get Osmocote root tabs cheap from other hobbyists. You only add them every few months. You don't need much.

Gravel is cheap or add sand. You can get from gravel yard for very cheap or check for used tanks for sale with gravel.

I use Black Diamond Blasting Sand.

Check sales threads here or on The Planted Tank. Free to join.

Best is to find a club near you. Might get gravel or other substrates free to VERY cheap.

 

[Coursair]

Also what kind of light are you using ?

Swords aren't super picky, but they should have 2"-3" of substrate, Root Tabs, and regular water changes plus don't gravel vac.

 

[ThatPlantedTank]

All I know is it's an led

 

[Scottyhorse]

How many watts and what is the kelvin rating? 6700k, 10000k, etc etc.