Plants not looking good

[need4mospd]

Specs of tank:
10 gallons
filter rated for a 15-20g tank, I forget the brand
18w compact flourescent
CO2 Natural Plant System by Nutrafin
2 Apistogramma macmasteri
2 Amano Shrimp
Few bunches of Anarchis, Crypts, grass(not sure on the exact name)
Slight snail infestation
Fertilization - Flourish
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 30ppm, a little high I know, I'm working on that.


Problem:
To start off I didn't have the CO2 system. The Crypts were placed first and were doing decent for 2-3 months. I noticed a little new growth in them but nothing spectacular. The snails or shrimp didn't bother them at all. I then added the Anarchis and grass. The anarchis almost immediatly started doing what it is still doing now, which is grow really long, but thin out and look really stringy. I've added CO2 since then. And now my crypts are almost completely dead. The snails and shrimp still don't bother them.

So how can I make these guys grow a little better? Is it the Nitrates? Do they all need more light?

[Aquabum]

Hi,

What about your Po4? Did you test for that? Since you inject co2, what are your readings for Ph and Kh? Do you dose macros?

Also, some crypts have been known to melt when you move them around. Although, I've never had this problem.

Lissette

[beviking]

I think it's your light. The stringy anacharis screams that you need more light. Not to mention 18watts isn't much over a 10gal tank. The crypts probably would have been fine (and in fact, probably will still) w/o the CO2. They can be...annoying. Search "crypt melt" and you'll see what I mean. They'll grow back.
Check out the fert sticky at the top of the forum...it will help.

[need4mospd]

I think it's your light. The stringy anacharis screams that you need more light. Not to mention 18watts isn't much over a 10gal tank.

What lights could I cram into the hood of a 10gallon bowfront? I measured the space in my hood and I have about 18"x4"x3" Do I need to find a new hood?

I still need to buy a test kit for the PO4, KH, PH, etc... I guess that could be a problem. :duh:

I did move the crypts around a little bit when I planted the anarchis, that might have upset them a bit. It looks like they are starting to come back again, however I lost over half the leaves.

I also just noticed a mystery plant in my tank. Really thin grass like stuff that looks nothing like my other plants, just sprouted in the middle of the tank. Wierd.

[sardesign]

Get a glass top and a light fixture or build a canopy and put some better lights underneath. The first is easier but more expensive.

[beviking]

AHSupply.com has great prices on great lighting and retro kits too!

[pbecot01]

Your bulbs could be the wrong color... I had better luck with incandescents then "soft white" PC screw ins on my ten, though they were MUCH brighter.