Why do plants die in an aquarium – identifying the culprits

A lot of aquarium hobbyists become confused when their once lush aquatic plants begin to wilt and die. Nothing compares to the exasperation you feel when your carefully selected foliage suddenly becomes lifeless. Knowing why aquarium plants suffer will enable you to maintain a healthy underwater garden and take the appropriate action to bring them back to life.

Plant decline can be caused by a variety of factors, and frequently, multiple problems combine to cause the problem rather than just one. One of the most important components is light; either too little or too much of it can cause problems. Proper balance is necessary for plants to grow strong and efficiently photosynthesize. An incorrectly configured aquarium light can cause issues.

Additionally essential to the health of plants are nutrients. Aquarium plants need a consistent supply of vital nutrients, just like any other type of garden. Plants may exhibit deficiencies or poor growth in their absence. Conversely, an overabundance of specific nutrients may result in algal blooms, which may cause additional stress to your plants.

Another important consideration is water quality. Toxins, hardness, and uneven pH levels are just a few problems that can negatively affect plant health. Maintaining a stable and conducive environment for your aquatic plants in your aquarium requires routine water testing and upkeep.

Finally, growth may be impacted by the location of plants and competition from nearby occupants. In a crowded tank, plants may find it difficult to get enough light and room, and occasionally, fish and other animals may disturb or uproot them. Assessing these factors and implementing the required changes can have a big impact.

You can identify the issues affecting the plants in your aquarium and take appropriate action to help them flourish by closely examining these potential problems. Your underwater garden can be brought back to its former state of vibrant, flourishing growth with a little care and the appropriate modifications.

Culprit	Explanation
Inadequate Lighting	Plants need the right amount of light to photosynthesize. Too little or too much light can cause them to die.
Poor Water Quality	Bad water conditions, like high levels of toxins or imbalanced pH, can harm or kill plants.
Incorrect Nutrients	Plants require specific nutrients to thrive. Lack of essential nutrients or an excess of fertilizers can be detrimental.
Improper Temperature	Extreme temperatures can stress plants. Make sure the water temperature is appropriate for the plant species.
Inadequate CO2 Levels	Carbon dioxide is crucial for plant growth. Low CO2 levels can hinder their ability to thrive.
Poor Substrate	The substrate or bottom material in your tank needs to support plant roots. An unsuitable substrate can affect plant health.
Overcrowding	Too many plants or fish can lead to competition for resources and reduced light, harming the plants.

The main reasons for the problem and options for correcting the situation

The question of why plants die in aquariums is not new, nor should it surprise beginners. Typically, inexperienced aquarium keepers pay complete attention to the fish, giving them top-notch conditions, and neglect the aquatic plants.

Let’s examine the primary causes of the pathological image.

Illiterate lighting

Plants die when traditional incandescent light bulbs are used to light the water in an aquarium without specialized lighting. By the way, one of the most frequent causes of poor flora growth is now improper lighting design.

Aquatic plants require light in the purple and blue wavelength range, regardless of the amount of illumination.

And only unique phytolamps made for aquatic plants can provide this level. It is advised to install them in tandem with the aquarium’s regular lights.

The deep water layers can be reached by the purple and blue spectrum, which balances the essential activity of ground cover (or bottom) plants. Eight to ten hours should pass during the day.

Take into consideration the jar’s volume when selecting a phytolamp. One W of power should be present for every liter of water on average.

Lack of important microelements

Food is necessary for the active growth of aquatic plants. These are nitrates, which are created during the processing of food scraps and fish waste.

You should not be shocked when the aquarium’s plants wither if there aren’t enough fish for a sizable volume.

Aquatic flora requires the following microelements to survive:

• phosphates;
• iron chloride.

More fertilizer application can salvage the situation if you do not intend to stock the aquarium with a large family of fish. However! It is absolutely prohibited to use supplements meant for indoor animals.

Aquarium occupants become poisoned as a result of this. Furthermore, an abundance or deficit of nutrients causes adverse reactions in aquatic plants.

By observing the changes in the plants’ conditions, you can determine exactly what they lack:

What element is missing	External signs
potassium	the edges of the leaves of young plants begin to turn yellow, and older plants curl their leaves, it is necessary to add the appropriate fertilizer to the water (for example, a monosolution of potassium), the additive is added every week until the situation is corrected
ferric chloride	the leaves turn yellow and become very fragile, the condition is corrected by adding special fertilizers in a proportion of 0.1 mg / l
phosphates	massive leaf fall, specialized feeding is used
calcium	young leaves already appear yellow and deformed, you can add ready-made fertilizer or decorate the aquarium with snail shells, it is also allowed to add calcium carbonate to the water
magnesium	brown and yellowish spots appear on the leaves, plants slow down in development and growth, to adjust and correct the situation, add manium sulfate to the jar, which is sold in any pharmacy
nitrogen or sulfur	leaves that are too small and stunted appear, which acquire a yellow tint, the situation can be corrected by adding appropriate additives

Use a drip test to determine the precise element that aquatic plants are missing, and don’t forget to check the pH level.

Visit our other article to learn more: Aquarium plant indicators of malnutrition

Lack of carbon dioxide

If there is no CO2 in the water, you will never get plant density and splendor in your jar.

The primary "building" component that gives aquatic flora its exceptional growth and crown density is this gas. Use specialized liquid fertilizers that contain a high concentration of CO2 to replenish reserves.

Lack of substrate

The substrate, which is positioned beneath the aquarium’s main soil, gives the aquatic flora root nutrition, hastening its growth and development as a whole.

You can buy the substrate from any reputable pet store, but keep in mind that its contents might differ.

Purchase bottom substrate whose nutrient content is appropriate for the aquatic plants that thrive in your region.

Acidification of the soil

When soil is improperly laid and too fine, anaerobic areas that are totally devoid of oxygen can quickly form. This circumstance could be the cause of the aquarium plants’ deaths.

A significant amount of hydrogen sulfide, a gas that is hazardous to fish and plants alike, enters the water when plant debris that has accumulated in anaerobic zones starts to rot. The presence of hydrogen sulfide is indicated by a strong, unpleasant smell.

Aqua overcrowding and incompatibility

In the vast world of aquarium keeping, there are many different kinds of fish, and not all of them can tolerate aquatic plants.

Many species (goldfish and cichlids being among the most notable for this behavior) have a great fondness for nibbling leaves and stirring up roots.

Another reason why plants in aquariums die is because they are incompatible with fish.

The condition of aquatic flora is also adversely affected by an excessively dense population of jars. Fish that are overabundant actively produce ammonium or ammonia, disrupting the aquarium’s biobalance and degrading the nitrogen cycle.

Use drop tests to check the water composition parameters on a regular basis. This will assist in identifying and fixing the issue quickly.

Diseases

Each and every aquarist should be fully informed about the diseases to which aquarium flora is vulnerable. Knowing precisely what ailment the plants are suffering from is not difficult to ascertain with experience. As an illustration:

• Plants do not want to grow well. The reasons are rooted in the lack of carbon. Increased water hardness is also the culprit. If no measures are taken, the plants will soon die.
• The appearance of plaque on the leaves. Also indicates a lack of CO2.
• The leaves begin to shrink. The plant becomes ill and withers due to too much lighting and water depleted of nutrients.

• The roots of aquatic plants darken. Such a change is quite difficult to notice. But this is a very common reason. The roots begin to darken due to too much soil and its excessive density. It should be diluted with gravel or small pebbles.
• The leaves begin to actively stretch. The reason is an excess of red light in the spectrum.
• But if an aquatic plant begins to turn pale, develops narrow and long stems – it does not have enough lighting.

To make up for the lack of light, many novice aquarists suggest moving the aquarium closer to the window. This is not something you should do because the sun’s rays harm the aquatic ecosystem.

Among the most dangerous diseases is cryptocoryne disease. Aquatic plants develop holes on their leaves when they become infected. Almost completely and quickly, sometimes even at the same time as the stem, the leaves disintegrate.

There is no cure for this illness. All you have to do is remove the sick plant and perform an impromptu water change. However, there is a possibility that the diseased plant will continue to grow and develop if its roots are still present.

Finding the reason behind a plant’s death in an aquarium is important for maintaining a healthy underwater garden. Plant distress can result from a variety of factors, including inappropriate plant species, nutrient imbalances, inadequate lighting, and poor water quality. You can improve the general aesthetics of your aquarium and create a healthier environment for your aquatic plants to thrive in by being aware of and taking care of these possible problems.

Taking care of aquarium plants can be enjoyable, though it can also be difficult at times. It can be discouraging when your plants begin to die, but figuring out what’s wrong is the first step in fixing it. The most common causes of problems with aquarium plants are inadequate lighting, low-quality water, and inadequate nutrients.

Lighting is essential to the health of plants. Plant growth may be hampered by an aquarium light that is either too strong or too weak. Proper photosynthetic efficiency requires the correct spectrum and intensity of light for plants. Make sure your plants are getting the light they require by checking and adjusting your lighting setup as needed.

Nutrients are important as well. A balance of nutrients is necessary for plants, including potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen. Your plants might not flourish if they are deficient in vital nutrients. To maintain the health of your plants, periodically check and replenish your nutrient levels.

Water quality is an important consideration. Stressed plants can deteriorate due to poor water conditions, such as high levels of toxins or improper pH levels. Your plants can be kept in a stable environment with regular water changes and parameter monitoring.

You are able to provide your aquarium plants with a healthy environment by closely examining these variables and making the appropriate adjustments. Your aquarium can become a vibrant, lush aquatic garden with patience and care, though it might take some trial and error.

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