Newbie Q's

[DaveTMD]

First let me say THANKS!
I've been reading every thread for the past 2 months in preparation of my new tank and the information has been great.
First let me give you some background info.
I've got a 36 gallon bow front All-Glass tank, 100% Flourite substrate, AuqaClear HOB Filter and a Ebo-Jager Heater.

My Questions are as follows..
1. The light fixture for this tank was a 2 tube 40watt total unit. I know this is minimal lighting. Is there any bulbs I can buy to replace the one's that came with the fixture to give me more output?

2. I presently have some crypts and 1 Amazon sword. It was free the person at the LFS was in the Holiday mood and knew I was just getting started. Question.. there is a shoot that is coming off where it looks like a Leaf should be, it has some small leaf groups and what looks like roots growing off at those point on the branch. Should I do something with this or should it be left alone?

3. Should I use any fertilizer? What kind? How often?

Anyway Thanks again this should get me started.

[wetmanNY]

That's a runner on your Amazon Sword. Weight it down with a rock so that the plantlet is in good firm contact with the substrate and let it root itself.. Give it plenty of time to establish itself before you cut the runner.

Often you can fit one of the new compact fluorescents behind the traditional reflector, if you have a glass top.

I don't use fertilizer beyond a little potassium in the makeup water, so I'm not a good one to advise you on that. In general, the stronger the light, the more you'll need fertilizer.

[DaveTMD]

Thanks WetmanNY. I've got some room behind the existing fixture. I'll Have to look and see how small the compact fixture's are. I'll take care of the Sword. Since the tank is new I've got room to pin that runner down in the back. Thanks again.

[carpguy]

DaveTMD
AHSupply (http://www.ahsupply.com) is a company that specializes in DIY lighting for aquariums. They have a 55watt kit that will fit in a 22x4 space that costs $42. This is just for the light, doesn't include any sort of finished enclosure (not even a casing). You might also just order one of they're reflectors to boost the efficiency of your current lights if you can figure out how to work around the ballast. 30" is an awkward length: most lamps/bulbs seem to be 24 or 36". There are other lighting options, CF is the one I went with and I'm happy with the results (just installed a 2x36w kit over my 30g).

Here is a link to Tom Barr's List of Recommended Levels and Parameters (http://www.sfbaaps.com/reference/barr_02_01.shtml). Tom (aka Plantbrain) is the resident plant expert pretty much wherever he chooses to reside. Beyond that you might try some searches here or at AquaBotanic (http://www.aquabotanic.com/boards/index.php) for "fertilizer" or for "PMDD". PMDD stands for "Poor Man's Dupla Drops" (or "Daily Dose" or whatever other variation): its a DIY fertilizer mix that a lot of people like to use. Even if you're not interested in mixing it yourself, a lot of the threads on it contain interesting discussions of what chemicals people think are important in different situations. I'm likewise a newb and I'm using SeaChem Flourish and Iron once a week for the time being.

HTH
carpguy

Here's a thread (http://www.aquabotanic.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=2185) I just came across. This thread (http://www.aquabotanic.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=2183) is a good example of why I check PMDD threads. It contained a link to this page (http://www.brainyday.com/jared/aquarium/info.htm), which has a whole section of links to fertilizer & nutrition resources.