starting New!!!!

[moxy1030]

I've recenty completetly started over with my 20 gallon tank- I couldn't get it right- algae was crazy and I was loosing fish all the time, and almost all of the plants eventually died.

Through all of it, my 6 guppies have made it and so has a rock that has java fern growing off of it. The tank is now balanced and crystal clear. Where should I go from here? Right now I have a Penguin 100 w/ Biowheel filter, a heater, and that's it.

What else do I need to do/get before I introduce plants? I don't have a lot to spend on this, so I really need the most cost-effective way of doing this. :o THANKS!! :o

[Signus]

What light are you running on the tank?

[z71silverado98]

Sunlight and a Glass Top are cost effective lighting means.

Ive got my 29gal plant nursery in a bay window sustained only by sunlight. Ive applied privacy film (looks like etched glass) to the window to break up the light a little and it works perfect.

[moxy1030]

Right now I have a 15 w aquarium lamp. I don't have the ability to put the tank in front of the window where it could get natural light.

[Signus]

Sounds like a bit of cycling problems with ammonia spikes. On top of that, the light really isn’t enough to keep photosynthesis going. However, you’ve been giving a really good go at it so hopefully you’ll get one or the other settled. Try focusing on getting your tank stocked and then working on the plants dept.

1 suggestion if you really have your heart set on plants:

Get a stoplight from a hardware store (of the correct size!) and put “Plant and Aquarium” tubes in it. They’re all very cheap compared to the more expensive, manufactured products out there.

Good luck!

[Ms.Bubbles]

Signus: I think you mean "shop light"...(or in your tanks does a green light means fishies can swim, red light means they cant? ;) )

Moxy, IMO 15 watts over a 20 gallon isn't really enough for growing plants (maybe java moss). 30 watts would be ideal for an easy low-light set-up. Window light is OK if you know what you're doing with plants, but sunlight can lead to huge algae problems if it's too strong, so don't worry if you don't use window light--bulbs are easier to control.