Who Gives A Fish Forums

My Vallisneria leaves are turning brown at the tips, and it's spreading. Tank's been running for 3 months, 20 gallons, with a sponge filter. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate. Using LED lights for 8 hours a day. What's the deal?

Browning tips usually mean a nutrient deficiency. Are you dosing any fertilizers? Vallisneria is a heavy root feeder, so root tabs might help if you're not using them already.

Yep, sounds like a nutrient thing. I had the same issue with mine until I started using root tabs. Also, check your KH and GH, Vallisneria likes harder water. Mine bounced back after I adjusted those.

tigron wrote: ↑Fri May 16, 2025 2:13 am Yep, sounds like a nutrient thing. I had the same issue with mine until I started using root tabs. Also, check your KH and GH, Vallisneria likes harder water. Mine bounced back after I adjusted those.

Totally agree. I'd add that if your water's too soft, Vallisneria can struggle. Mine did better after I added crushed coral to the substrate.

Could also be lighting. Vallisneria doesn't need super bright light, and too much can cause browning. Try reducing your photoperiod to 6 hours and see if that helps. Also, what's your substrate? Sand or gravel?

I'd second the nutrient and light suggestions. Vallisneria is pretty hardy but can be picky about conditions. Are you doing regular water changes? Sometimes buildup of organics can cause issues even if ammonia and nitrite are zero.

alynna wrote: ↑Fri May 16, 2025 5:33 am I'd second the nutrient and light suggestions. Vallisneria is pretty hardy but can be picky about conditions. Are you doing regular water changes? Sometimes buildup of organics can cause issues even if ammonia and nitrite are zero.

Yeah, water changes are key. I do 25% weekly, and my Vallisneria's thriving. Also, make sure your filter's not too strong, they don't like high flow.

All good points here. One more thing to check: any recent tank changes? New fish, meds, or additives? Sometimes sudden changes can stress plants out. Also, how old are the leaves? Older leaves naturally brown and die off.

Thanks for the tips, everyone. I'll try root tabs and cut back the light. Substrate is gravel, and I've been doing 20% water changes every two weeks. Maybe I'll bump that up to weekly.

Sounds like a plan. Keep us posted on how it goes. Vallisneria can take a bit to recover, so don't stress if it doesn't bounce back right away.