Calcium deficiency in Amazon Sword?

I've noticed that the new leaves of my Amazon Sword are coming in crippled
and curled. I've read that this is likely to a deficiency of calcium. I've
read that calcium rarely has to be added to the water as there is usually
enough in city tap water.

The plant load is fairly high with Java Fern, Hygro difformis and Crypts in
addition to the Sword. Possibly related is I added 3 onion plants about two
months ago. One lost its leaves right away and died, the others took longer
and are just bulbs right now. One of them had quite a bit of growth early on
but then stopped after a couple weeks. The fish load is at 23 in a 45gal
tank. Fish include cherry barbs, lemon and congo tetras, ottos, corys, a
clown loach and gouramis.

Note that I've been trying to overcome an recent algae problem. I've done
weekly water changes for the past 6 weeks (approx) to try and reduce my
phospates. Funny that the algae is gone, but phospate levels have not
reduced. I also began dosing PMDD daily about a week ago.

Aquarium water params:
pH: 7.2
GH: 4.5 deg
KH: 4.5 deg
NH3/NH4: undetected
NO2: undetected
NO3: undetected
PO4: 5+ppm

Any ideas to save the Sword (and onions) are much appreciated!

Thx,
Anton

"Anton" wrote in message
e.rogers.com...

NO3: undetected
PO4: 5+ppm

Any ideas to save the Sword (and onions) are much appreciated!

Thx,
Anton

Hi Anton

The most obvious would be that your plants are starving NO3: undetected
With PO4 levels at 5ppm you should be adding Nitrates (10-15ppm). Plants
need Phosphate in order to take up Nitrates, if there are no Nitrates in
abundance for the plants then you have a huge Algae party on your hands.
Also make sure that your CO2 is cranked up when you add the Nitrates

The Onions should come back if the conditions are rectified, so should the
swords.
--
**So long, and thanks for all the fish!**

Actually, I slipped a bit. NO3 is somewhere between 0 and 5ppm with the
Nutrafin test kit I have (very pale pink). Still low, so I'll increase it
with some potassium nitrate. I'll also make sure to 'freshen-up' the DYI CO2
bottles.

thx,
Anton

"Happy'Cam'per" wrote in message
...
"Anton" wrote in message
e.rogers.com...

NO3: undetected
PO4: 5+ppm

Any ideas to save the Sword (and onions) are much appreciated!

Thx,
Anton

Hi Anton

The most obvious would be that your plants are starving NO3: undetected
With PO4 levels at 5ppm you should be adding Nitrates (10-15ppm). Plants
need Phosphate in order to take up Nitrates, if there are no Nitrates in
abundance for the plants then you have a huge Algae party on your hands.
Also make sure that your CO2 is cranked up when you add the Nitrates

The Onions should come back if the conditions are rectified, so should the
swords.
--
**So long, and thanks for all the fish!**

"Anton" wrote in message le.rogers.com...
I've noticed that the new leaves of my Amazon Sword are coming in crippled
and curled. I've read that this is likely to a deficiency of calcium. I've
read that calcium rarely has to be added to the water as there is usually
enough in city tap water.


Anton,
I had a similar problem with my Amazon as well as many other
nutrient deficencies. We have a water softener in my house and it
leaves no minerals for my poor plants. To raise the calcium I crushed
up some calcium bicarbonate that I purchased at a local vitamin store
(very cheap), and added it into the tank. Now I added a little at a
time and kept a close eye on my kH. You can also add some epsom salts
to raise your gH a little bit. Again, add a little at a time. I dont
think you mentioned whether you were injecting CO2 or not. Are you?
I have also read that amazon swords absorb the calcium through the
roots so you can add the calcium tablets right into the substrate near
the plant. Now I am only a novice, but this is what worked for me
when I had similar problems. Hope it helps.

Chris