Helping plants thrive in a new setup

[graye]

Hi,
Our tank's been set up for just over a week and we've added plants in two batches, 8 days apart. Unfortunately, they're turning brown and seem to be dying off - I've attached some photos.
We initially dosed with Flourish when the first plants went in, then added TNC Complete, TNC Carbon, and another dose of Flourish when the second batch was planted on Friday. We've been dosing daily with the recommended amount of liquid carbon since.
Initially, the lights were on for 11 hours, but we've reduced this to 7 hours since Friday. Water testing shows slightly high ammonia levels, which are decreasing daily. Nitrate and Nitrite levels are normal. We had a large bacteria bloom that clouded the water for 5 days, but two 20% partial water changes have cleared it up.
The tank is a Rio 180 LED. Any suggestions would be appreciated as we're struggling to get the plants growing healthily.

[Sire]

I've come across this issue before - some plants can be quite sensitive to liquid carbon. Vallis, like the one in your third picture, often struggle with it and can die off, especially if you're dosing daily.

[radface]

For most low-tech tanks, I've found that keeping it simple with Flourish and some root tabs usually does the trick. Adding multiple products can often do more harm than good.

I recognize a few of the plants in your photos, but could you tell me what the rest are? The second picture, is that an Anubias? If so, I'm afraid it's not looking good - the rhizome can't be planted or it'll rot.

The third picture, I think that might be Jungle Val? It's not uncommon for Jungle Val to die back a bit after planting, but it should come back and start sending out runners once it's settled in. The fourth picture looks like Hornwort to me - that stuff's a breeze to grow and can be planted or left to float.

I'm not super familiar with the Rio 180's LED light, but from what I've read, it should be suitable for most plants.

[boomer]

Welcome to TFF. I've been around the block a few times with plants, and I've found the primary issue is usually light. Intensity and spectrum are what drive photosynthesis, and you just can't compensate for those with duration. Any data on the light you're using would be helpful. I'd stick with the 7-hour duration for now; any more and you'll likely start seeing problem algae. Once things are stable, you can think about extending it, but there's nothing wrong with seven hours. I've got all my tanks on 7 hours now, and it's kept the algae at bay.

It's a new tank, so naturally occurring nutrients are going to be scarce until you've got fish in there. I've been using Flourish Comprehensive Supplement for the Planted Aquarium for years, and I think it's a great basic supplement. Those liquid "carbon" additives, though, I'm not a fan. They're more harm than good, and you should never use them in a tank with fish. I'm not familiar with TNC Complete, but from what I can see, it's got nitrate and phosphorus - neither of which you should need in a low-tech or natural planted setup. Stick with the Flourish Comp, and use it sparingly once you've got fish in there.

Most plants will show some stress when they're moved to a new environment. It can take a few days to a few weeks before they start showing signs of growth. And let's be honest, not all plants are going to thrive in every tank.

[desertstream]

I'd like to add that plants absorb nutrients in two ways - through their roots and leaves in the water column. If you have a lot of rooted plants and are only using liquid fertilizers, they're not getting what they need. On the other hand, if you have water column feeders and are only using fertilizer tabs in the substrate, those plants will struggle. It's essential to know how your plants feed and act accordingly.

Different plants also have varying nutrient requirements. For instance, Vals need more calcium than some other plants. If your water is very soft, Vals will struggle. To ensure all your plants thrive, it's best to provide a comprehensive liquid fertilizer and a comprehensive root tab.