New light, any suggestions?

[aokashi]

ahahah XD poor you :P no solutions there other than to take the wood out?

[Silverfang]

My pleco would not like that *nods* She lives on and under it.

But do you think it's the tannins or the snails or the lighting that's why the plants keep dieing off?

[Sakura8]

I thought apples wouldn't eat plants unless they were starving?

If it's the tannins, I'd say it's 'cause they're blocking the light. Some plants, like crypts, like soft water although most do best in medium hard or so I've heard.

[aokashi]

well if the lighting doesnt reach the bottom, the bottom stems will die off.
apple snails wont even touch algae unless theyre famished..
ive dobe a black water tank for a limited period of time. plants were limited to anubias, mosses and ferns.... as well as a lucky bamboo. baby tears and microswords almost died XD

[Silverfang]

tell that two my swords that have skeletons for leaves. There were untold herds in there for a while however >.> It's down to about 5 now.

[kfryman]

I noticed that when I wad on the NPT water change schedule the dirt will tan the water lots. My tank is so much clearer with weekly water changes. So I would think tannis since there is also wood in there.

[Sakura8]

Any low-growing plant that is meant for carpeting (hairgrass, babys tears, microsword) will almost certainly die unless the light is on the intense side. As aokashi said, if the light isn't bright enough, it won't reach plants on the bottom of the tank. Typically carpet plants need the most light.

Some new plants will also struggle. It can help to trim them back and let them grow back up.

[Silverfang]

so all three, wood producing tannins, debris from the dirt needing more WC's, and better lights?

[Sakura8]

Yeah, pretty much.

Planted tanks are so nice but so much work.

[Silverfang]

I'll get the high watt one then. At least it's free shipping.