A Stupid Question In Two Parts: Lighting

[Subliminal]

Ok, the stupid part first:

I have a standard 29G tank with your standard single flourescant bulb on the top. Either an All-Glass or a Perfecto Hood. Looks like this:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/Categoryimages/normal/p_27645_37109_lighting.jpg

Anyway, my stupid question is: Anyone know what length bulb that this takes? I can't remember if it's a 30 or a 24 or what. Sigh..and I'm at work and want to get something in the mail today.

Ok, second part of the question:

I bought some new plants yesterday. The girl at the store didn't know what they were, exactly, and neither do I. They were pretty cheap, and the leaves look like those of a spider plant (houseplant, if you know what I mean), with the white/green leaves. I haven't been able to find a good picture online, but the leaves look like this:

http://www.okstate.edu/ag/asnr/hortla/needham/Images/spidrplt.jpg

Anyway, I'm not sure if I should just replace my flourescant tube, or upgrade the lighting a bit. I've not been big on freshwater plants before, so I figured I'd turn to you guys in the know.

Anyone have any advice they can share?

THANKS!

[aardvark1]

29 gallon tanks use a 30" fixture (as that is the width of the tank) but the bulb is only 24"; you got 6 inches of blank space in there!

As for the plant, no idea!

[Aquaken]

Yeah 24" bulb with six inches of dead space on a 29. As for the plant, I think there is a terrestrial plant that matches that description and won't live in water for long.

[cichlidkeeper91]

As for the plant. NON AQUATIC. Throw it away. If that is the plant in the pic, that you have in your tank then it is non aquatic.

[happybob59]

As of late I've seen alot of people buying these plants....I can't believe the LFSs people who sell these....actually SELL these!

[Subliminal]

The first picture was just for reference on what I thought the leaves looked like.

Here's a few pics of the actual plants:

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f317/damontmorris/plantedtank.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f317/damontmorris/plants.jpg

[quadpants]

Take it back, non aquatic.

[Subliminal]

Well, it cost me $5 for all three, and I don't necessarily think taking it back is an option.

You're saying that, even though it's inside a tank, and was inside a tank, that it's not going to last because it's the type of plants that needs to at least stick out of the water..?

[quadpants]

Someone else may be able to identify it, but it sure isn't a plant that will live or grow underwater. Within a month or two it will rot away and pollute your tank. Petco is famous for selling non-aquatic plants in their fish section, and Petsmart sells Mondo Grass which will not live underwater for very long, so this isn't some rare thing. Search this forum for Petco Plants and see dozens of threads with people buying things like this.

In general it is a good idea to research the plants before buying since lighting, alkalinity, and CO2 needs vary greatly between species.

[Sammie7]

Yes, now take it out and enjoy your your new houseplant in all its glory. This will now serve as a reminder to never trust LFS and their infamous non-aquatic plant selection. If you leave it in there it will rot, mucking up your water. It is a sanderia plant in the same group as lucky bamboo, i believe.

[Subliminal]

Soooo...say I was to take it out of the tank. Would I pot it in dirt? ;)

[loaches r cool]

Last time I was at petsmart they had several plants labeled aquatic that were not. Honestly i dont know how they can do this and not get in trouble. Just because it will last a couple months submerged doesnt mean its aquatic.

[Sammie7]

Soooo...say I was to take it out of the tank. Would I pot it in dirt? ;)

Yes, i likes moist soil, i believe. It doesn't like direct sunlight, though. You could also plant it in the front of your house in a shaded area.