I just scored 2 24" 17w fluorescent "plant growing" lights from walmart for $10 each. I'm going to purchase 2 more when they receive them sometime in the next 2 weeks. This will be a total of 4 17watt 24" fluorescent tubes, which will be replacing a beaten up 24" aquarium light that was on the verge of dying. Now that I will have a total of 68watts of plant growing light, what plants can I get that will survive and grow to their full potential in this setup. The tank is 30"Wx12.5"Deepx18"tall... or something to that effect. I'm going to build a custom canopy soon as well. I'm really interested in some type of under water grass. Some leafy plants would be nice as well. I've never had real plants survive due to my crummy lighting in the past. What would you folks recommend?
Upgraded lighting, what plants to get? (29Gal)
- Thread starter kyazh
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For grass, you have dwarf hairgrass (Eleocharis parvula), microsword (Lilaeopsis), or pygmy chainsword (Echinodorus tenellus). Dwarf hairgrass has needle like blades and is the softest looking of the bunch. Microsword stays the shortest and the chainsword is the easiest to grow. You'll likely need CO2 and ferts for the first two.
Define leafy, broad leaves?
Echinodorus parviflorus var. Tropica is an amazon sword that stays small. Tiger lotus
Any kind of anubias
Java fern
Define leafy, broad leaves?
Echinodorus parviflorus var. Tropica is an amazon sword that stays small. Tiger lotus
Any kind of anubias
Java fern
I'm not convinced dwarf hairgrass would do well under 68w of reg. fluoro light...especially in a 29g (which is a pretty tall tank). I suggest trying E. tenellus or Dwarf Sagittaria instead, as they will definitely do well with that light.
With regular fert dosing and pressurized CO2 you may be fine with Hairgrass or Microsword under that light, but don't shade them.
With regular fert dosing and pressurized CO2 you may be fine with Hairgrass or Microsword under that light, but don't shade them.
^ how do you go about using fert? I have pool filter sand in there right now. I'm looking to build a DIY 2liter CO2 setup soon to help with the growth.
Plecosterone
We don't need no stinking badges!
Dwarf grass should do ok once established. With that lighting it may be hard to get started but once it gets growing it should be ok if given co2 and ferts.
I think the hairgrass would probably adapt after a while, but it would be taking a chance. That being said i would go with some of the other alternatives which will work for sure. The dwarf sag, E tenn. and Chain swords rec. earlier by others would all be great picks. Also, the dwarf hairgrass will require more CO2 and ferts. Honestly, you could really do any of them but some will be much easier and grow more rapidly under your conditions. I would for sure get CO2 going (DIY is sooo easy) and dose regularly, esp. with an inert substrate. I would use Seachem Flourish Comprehensive Supp.--it has all nutrients needed. Using Seachems Flourish Tabs can help as well for roots, but not necessary. I suspect the CO2 and ferts may have had a lot to do with not being able to keep plants alive previously. There are plenty of plants that should have lived under your previous lights. Make sure to change your bulbs at least once a year because as they age the "usable" light for photosynthetic processes diminishes and algae will start to outcompete the plants quite easily. Hope this helps!!
--Tim
--Tim