Plants turning colors

**Janize** · 12-12-2012, 05:29 PM

Hi, I've got a few live plants in my aquarium and they are turning yellow and a funny green. Some of them are losing their leaves. I think it might be a nutrient deficiency from what I've read? What can I do to solve the problem? Is it safe (or worth it) to use aquarium plant fertilizer?

Please help?

**ijankrom** · 12-12-2012, 06:58 PM

I'm no expert when it comes to plants but sure someone else here can assist. I would copy/paste your question and place under Plant Forum http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aqua...splay.php?f=65 as I believe you will find more help there.

**jeffs99dime** · 12-12-2012, 07:01 PM

We need more details. What sort of set up are you running? what plants do you have, what lighting? Are you dosing ferts/Co2/ what types and how much? Can you post picks of said plants?

**imma24** · 12-12-2012, 07:03 PM

There are several types of liquid fertilizer that many people use as well as root tabs for those with good root systems and need to be buried under the substrate.

+1 with all above questions.

@Jeff - it appears OP is not using anything right now & wonders whether ferts should be used

**Brhino** · 12-12-2012, 07:06 PM

also how long have you had the plants? Some plants "melt" when placed in new water conditions and then regrow new leaves.

**jeffs99dime** · 12-12-2012, 07:08 PM

And with what Brhino said, Are you getting any new growth on the plants at all?
@Andreahp, Thanks for picking up on that. I totally missed that. lol

**Goes to 11!** · 12-12-2012, 07:14 PM

A few questions for you?

* Tank size?
* How long have they been in situ?
* Please detail your lighting?
* What is your substrate?

**talldutchie** · 12-12-2012, 08:41 PM

despite all the good answers already...

Aquatic plants can start to look bad for various reasons. Some common ones

1. You were scammed. The plants you bought weren't true aquatic plants. Still happens, spathiphyllum is often sold like this.
2. The plants are relatively new and were grown outside of the water (emers) in a very humid greenhouse. Plants need to adapt to live under water. They will loose leaves but usually recover in a few weeks.
3. there's a deficiency of some sort. Can be light which shows at first as long stems with a lot of space between leaves. Can be lots of other things. You can dose with root tabs or a general fertilizer or you can aim for the specific problem

Simple version of what to look for:

This is a very complete chart on the subject:
http://infographics.myaquacalc.com/w...y-labeled2.jpg