Alternanthera cardinalis variegata

[peter.k]

Hi.
Can anybody help me with damaged Alternanthera?
Tank is 2 months old and Alternanthera was beautiful with rich red color and no damage.
About week ago i added one Otocinclus and one Albino Plecostomus.
Since then damage appeared on leaves. Now I'm not sure. Is it Potassium Deficiency?
Or my Pleco or Oto has something to do with it? I have no snails. Just RCS and Neon tertas added 2 weeks ago

Tank: TMC Signature 600 x 450 x 300
Substrate: Ada aqua soil amazonia, ADA power sand M, ADA substrate additives
Light: Finnex Planted+ 24/7 Fully Automated Aquarium LED, Controller
light period first month 6hours now 6.5 and going up slowly.
Filter: Fluval 306 with spraybar.( added fluval carbon week ago and going to replace it )
Co2: co2 pressurized system
Fertilizers: Tropica Specialised Fertiliser started with 2ml first 2 weeks, than 2,5ml and now I'm adding 3ml daily
Seachem iron 1ml every other day
Seachem flourish excel 1ml every day
Potassium Phosphate (2tbsp in 500ml Water) adding every other day 10ml
Flow: i would say very strong.
Water change: 1st week 50% daily
2nd week 50% every other day ...............
now every saturday 50%

Date taken 24/04 no damage

Date taken 01/05 no damage

Date taken 03/05

Every other plant is doing rly well

 

[Mick.Dk]

That is not an Alternanthera cardinalis - which is a good thing, since Alternanthera cardinalis is not suited for aquatic life.
It is Alternantheta sp. 'rosanervig' (likely an Alt. rosaefolia var.)
Leaves of Alternantheta are generally not very long-living, which is why trimming and replanting must be done often, to avoid attacks frpm different algae. The aging/old leaves of Alternantheta will also likely be amongst first choice of attack from fish or shrimp, that tends to go for "weak" leaves, when hungry. A specialised food for those fish and shrimps will usually help.......

 

[rebel]

This type is also probably the most challenging to grow; just so that you know.

Not sure what's' wrong with the leaves though.

 

[Mick.Dk]

I don't agree, that the Alt. 'rosanervig' is any different in growing, than Alt. reinickii ( and Alt. 'mini') or Alt. rosaefolia. Alternanthera's generally require some added CO2, and reasonable light.

 

[alto]

About week ago i added one Otocinclus and one Albino Plecostomus.

please do buy more otocinclus - they really are a social fish & much happier in groups

I don't see much algae in the tank, so it's essential that you offer additional food for your oto & pleco (can't tell if this is a "bushy nose" type from photo) - if you do a search on here, you should find lots of veggie suggestions
courgette
red pepper
sweet potato
& many that I never think of
The harder veg should be blanched first to soften them, some otos/plecs even prefer blanched courgette ... you just need to offer various to find out what's preferred

There are signs of likely fish damage to plant leafs in this journal
Round Two

Tank looks good

 

[peter.k]

thank you all for your help.. I ordered Alternanthera from http://www.co2art.co.uk/products/alternanthera-cardinalis-variegata.
I'll definitely get more otos. I was just waiting for my TMC cabinet and was moving aquarium to different room due to carpet replacement.
I'm going to order cascade glass spray bar with inlet pipe and Cascade Glass Side Exit Pipe. Do you have any experience with this products?
I was going for gUSH Glassware with lily pipe, but I'm spray bar guy)

Thx you ALL. Love UKAPS

 

[peter.k]

Hi All.
just quick update. My Alternantheta is doing well again
1. I rehoused my Albino Plecostomus (but got more Otos)
2. I stopped dosing flourish excel for 2 weeks.
It's possible plants were still adapting + melting
Thx again