Tips on Thick Growth

[Captain Hook]

I was just wondering if anyone has any tips on getting plants to grow in nice and thick. I try to plant my stems close to together but can't do a very good job. I see so many pics of tight bunches and want that in my tank.

Edit: I am also going to order a 55 watt power compact and try to fit in my fixture over my hood. Should I mount the ballast externally or will it fit inside? Any ever done this before? Any suggestions? What about a reflector, right now there is a metal one in there but I doubt it will fit the new bulb.

[djlen]

Plants will grow much thicker with good light and pruning. Many times plants will thin out because the higher leaves block the light and shade the bottom of the plant.
Plant clumps an keep pruning.

If you order a CF light kit, everything needed should come with it, including ballast and reflector. Talk to AH Supply and tell them the dimensions of your light enclosure and they will tell you whether or not you can fit the new lighting into it.
I mounted my retro-fit ballast on the outside, back of my enclosure for safety reasons.

Len

[jeffro426]

The trick to getting them to grow in think is TONS of lighting(3+ watts per gallon) and adding CO2 to the tank.

[Captain Hook]

I guess the plants aren't really that thick because my light is 2 wpg and Excel, no CO2. I was able to plant the rotala pretty close together because the leaves aren't that big. I'm having trouble getting the ludwigia to grow dense.

Len I was planning on ordering from www.brite-lite.com. The total for ballast, socket, bulb holder, and bulb was $55 Canadian. This is the US price for just the ballast and reflector from AH supply, not even including the bulb.