Problem with swordplant

[artw]

I have started recently having a problem with my swordplant (Echinodorus bleheri) in the larger specimen but the smaller specimen is exhibiting symptoms albeit to a lesser degree.  The larger one gets more light than the smaller one.   Fertilization is Estimative Index with Seachem Equil at the 50%.  Co2 is DIY, low to moderate (KH3 6.4 in morning 6.8-7 before lights out).  Substrate is flourite.  Lights are 4x65 12hrs.

Any help is appreciated.
These guys just started doing this, up to this point they've been doing great. Other than pruning them every so often and adding the extra bank of bulbs a month ago nothings changed.   I am not convinced its the plecos, and the plants are pearling as you can see in the pics so its probably not the co2 however I am planning on adding a 4th bottle.  I have done no water tests except PH and KH as per E.I.



[attachment deleted by admin]

[BigDaddy]

Not a nutrient deffeciency.  Something is eating it.

[babblefish1960]

We currently are experiencing similar conditions with our swords and aponagetons, it seems to point to something going on in the water and this isn't paranoia, it is just observation after watching the city react to the cycles in the river, the documents I have from the city water treatment plant are old, but it shows that they really do put a lot of stuff in the water.

On the other hand, it looks a lot like grazing too, which for myself I suspect(not me, one of my fish or snails or something)

[Nerine]

my swords look exactly like that, some is grazing from my pleco who occasionally snacks on them, but they are looking so bad I'm tempted to throw them all away

[Shouganai]

Not a nutrient deffeciency.  Something is eating it.

Wow, a lot of my plants look like that, and I assumed it was some sort of deficiency.  No wonder adding ferts wasn't helping!

I wonder who the plant snacker is...

[Toss]

do you have clown loaches Art? my clown used to snack on the young leaves and the result looks just like yours.

[artw]

I have one clown loach yes. but he eats a lot of bloodworms so I have my doubts. But we'll see.  Maybe I'll look at the tank at night.  The leaves aren't new per se', but about a week old?

[sumik]

It looks like a damage done by snails.

[artw]

That's been the hypothesis at the top of my list so far.
Anybody want some snails?

[RoxyDog]

It's not MY snails Art.  Brigs don't eat plants.  Period, end of story. 

[PaleoFishGirl]

It's true.  I have RoxyDog's brigs in my tank and my swords look great.  I've never seen them munching on anything that wasn't already dead & decaying, or in pellet form.