Walstad-tank, Plant Deterioration?

[Ziggs180]

My 4 Month old dirt-planted tank has recently been showing some signs of deterioration. The tips of my Amazon Sword are beginning to fade, several of my Corkscrew val seem to be dying, and my 2 Java Ferns have turned blackish color (although new growth is clear). If its some sort of Deficiency, what can i dose my tank with?

Only possible culprits could be some Salt i added to the aquarium months ago, but i have since then done several water changes to dilute the amounts. Also i keep my Nitrates at below 5 ppm, should i let Nitrates build up for the plants to eat more?

 

[Marconis]

What is your lighting like?

 

[Ziggs180]

Lighting is about 48 Watts, so 1.6 Watts per Gallon. In case other ask, beneath the Gravel Substrate i have Miracle-Gro Dirt. Additionally, i have never dosed or used root tabs.

 

[Marconis]

48 watts of what type of lighting?

 

[Ziggs180]

Two 18 Watt T5 and one T8 17 Watt. Actaully that adds up to 53 not 48

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Mine went the same way after about that amount if time. I bought one packet of flourish root tabs and it did the trick. I now use DIY osmocote root tabs and excel whenever I remember (which isn't often).