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why are my leaves spotting?
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2025 5:34 am
by fleeton
My Anubias leaves are getting these weird brown spots. Tank is 20 gallons, been running for 6 months. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate. Using Fluval Plant light, 8 hours a day. What's up with that?
Re: why are my leaves spotting?
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2025 6:11 am
by flumon
Sounds like it could be a nutrient deficiency. Are you dosing any fertilizers? I had a similar issue with my Java Fern until I started using Seachem Flourish. Also, how's your CO2 setup?
Re: why are my leaves spotting?
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2025 7:41 am
by scaledone
fleeton wrote: ↑Tue Aug 05, 2025 5:34 am
My Anubias leaves are getting these weird brown spots. Tank is 20 gallons, been running for 6 months. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate. Using Fluval Plant light, 8 hours a day. What's up with that?
Brown spots on Anubias are often a sign of potassium deficiency. Try adding a potassium supplement like Seachem Potassium. Also, check your light intensity, too much can cause spotting too.
Re: why are my leaves spotting?
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2025 8:25 am
by breamer
I had the same issue with my Amazon Sword. Turned out my tap water was low in magnesium. Started adding Epsom salt, and the spots cleared up in a couple weeks. Maybe test your GH and KH?
Re: why are my leaves spotting?
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2025 8:31 am
by Ryegrain
Yo, could be algae too. I had this weird vibe with my tank where the spots were actually algae. Cut back the light to 6 hours and added some nerites, cleared right up.
Re: why are my leaves spotting?
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2025 10:20 am
by eagle9r
breamer wrote: ↑Tue Aug 05, 2025 8:25 am
I had the same issue with my Amazon Sword. Turned out my tap water was low in magnesium. Started adding Epsom salt, and the spots cleared up in a couple weeks. Maybe test your GH and KH?
Magnesium deficiency is a common culprit. I'd recommend testing your GH first. If it's below 6, you might need to supplement. Also, make sure your pH is stable.
Re: why are my leaves spotting?
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2025 11:40 am
by foxfire
Nerites are clutch for algae, but if it's not algae, could be a bacterial thing. Had a sketchy batch of plants once, spots spread like crazy. Quarantine new plants, just in case.
Re: why are my leaves spotting?
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2025 12:41 pm
by Briteon
Check your substrate too. If it's inert, your plants might not be getting enough nutrients. I switched to ADA Amazonia and my plants stopped spotting. Also, how often are you doing water changes?
Re: why are my leaves spotting?
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2025 1:31 pm
by jilly
I'm new to this, but my LFS said spots can be from inconsistent water changes. I do 20% weekly now, and my plants look better. Maybe try that?
Re: why are my leaves spotting?
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2025 2:20 pm
by fleeton
Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll test my GH and KH, and maybe cut back the light a bit. Gonna try the potassium supplement too.