37 gallon set up questions

corpclegg

corpclegg

AC Members
May 17, 2007
17
0
0
Hi all,

I recently purchased a 37 gallon eclipse tank and I am in the process of cycling it. I have fluorite substrate, which made my water all cloudy but it is getting clearer now. The tank came with two 18 watt flourescent lights. My question is... do I need more lighting in order to have a well stocked planted tank? I have a DIY CO2 set up and ready for action. Also, what are some suggestions to start the growing process? Preferably something that is "weedy" or will grow quickly. I am also hoping to have the substrate lined with a carpet plant. Any suggestions for plant set up would be appreciated, or any other hints or tips to get this thing rolling. I appreciate all your help. I am still a newbie with the planted tank, so thanks for helping.
 
Also, I have checked out Aqua Botanic. Would this store be recommended for buying plants? Any other places to buy them...? The only LFS's around here are Petsmart and Petco, and their plant supply is lacking.
 
Brazilian pennywort grows rather quickly. When I added it to my tank, it didn't really grow for the first two weeks but afterward it has really taken off -- already grown to the surface. I have to trim it back weekly. A nice carpet/foreground plant is hemianthus callitrichoides (dwarf baby tears). It'll take some time to plant and to establish itself. In my experience it takes some time to spread outward but I'm quite happy with it.
 
36w over a 37g tank is very low light, you'll have to stick with low light plants like java ferns, anubias, anacharis, hornwort, and crypts. For a carpet plant, marsilea (aquatic clover) is an easy one to work with.

Aquabotanic is a reputable site, I've ordered from him before and have no complaints.
 
hey sovereign, thanks for your help. The brazilian pennywort looks nice! And the dwarf baby tears too! beautiful!
 
yeah i figured it was not too much light. do i just buy higher wattage bulbs? the lid says replace bulbs up to 18 watts. do i need to install a new system or can i put higher watts in there without a problem?
 
I don't think you can put higher wattage bulbs if the ballast in your lid is only rated for 18 watts -- it might blow up in your face, literally. Are you using one of those eclipse hoods? There's some company (I want to say Sunpaq, or something to that effect) that makes retrofit kits for those hoods that replace the fixture completely that will allow for a much higher wattage light. I've ordered from aquariumplants.com and I've never had quality issues with anything I've ordered from them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom