New to the Live Plant World

[Hammy & Waf]

Hello all, we have a 75 gallon freshwater community tank and we just added some live plants. I only have the AGA flourescent hood that came with the tank for lighting. We have regular gravel and we have started using Flourish. The plants we have are Ludwigia, Wysteria, Java Fern, Banana Plant, and I believe we also have Diandria (these may or may not be right will try to post some pics soon). Am I doing okay or should I change or add something? Thanks for your help.

[Squawkbert]

In the long run, you're going to want more/better lighting.

For a 75 (I'll assume it's 6' long), I'd look at pairs of 3' 39W T-5s w/ individual Tek reflectors, mounted in a canopy for that tank.

AH-Supply retrofit PC lights would also work (a pair of 96W, for example) - though you want to be careful about excessive heat breaking glass or warping plastic, if you go retrofit.

In any case, GE 9325K or anyone else's 6500K to 10kK range bulbs (stay away from very blue looking 10kK bulbs) will work nicely for plants.

Have a read here: www.rexgrigg.com

[Hammy & Waf]

What options do I have for lighting if I want to keep the hood I have and just replace the bulb (it came with a 32 watt T8 bulb)? And my 75 is 48". Also forgot to mention that we have this dark green stringy looking plant that is growing pretty quick, the lady at the store gave it to us for free.

[Squawkbert]

We'll need a pic of the plant in order to ID it.

T12 9325K 48" 40W bulb (http://www.lightbulbsdirect.com/page/001/PROD/Plant/F40T12-AR-FS) would work if it will fit and your ballast will take it.

T8 48" 5000K 32W (http://www.lightbulbsdirect.com/page/001/PROD/FS%20Fluorescent/F32T8-750)

One of these would work w/ existing fixture, but you're still going to be well short of being in the 1-2WPG range typically used for lower light plants, even in low tech tanks.

Read Rex's "Concise Guide" - it will be well worth the little time it takes.

[Mgamer20o0]

your going to need to buy more light figures. cheap way would to be to buy 2 double T8 shop lights. 32wx4=128w/75=1.7wpg should be able to grow low light plants shouldnt need co2 or ferts. a better option would be 2x55w bright kit or 4x55w bright kit from ahsupply.com. just depends on what you want to do with the tank.

[Hammy & Waf]

Was looking on another site and found some plans to make my own flourescent hood with compact flourescent bulbs screwed into plug adapters, sealed up and mounted to an extension cord for a hood. Would this really work if I got a high enough and correct spectrum bulb?

[Mgamer20o0]

do you have a link? the bright kits are basically diy. you have to put them together.

[Hammy & Waf]

http://www.aquariumlife.net/projects/diy-lighting/55.asp

Also liked the cave grotto background project.

[Mgamer20o0]

better in smaller tanks. check out ahsupply.com. i wouldnt do that type of lighting in the link in anything over 30 gal. another option is to over drive shop lights.