Plants too much of a bioload?

Hate to say it, but the two smaller ones in front look like mondo grass--can stay alive for a while, like the dracaena, but will die eventually. Maybe you'll have better luck than I!!

Yeah, Mondo grass - they will sell it to you without telling you it is not a true aquatic grass. It will die, almost certainly, even if slowly. Can provide fish cover while something else gets established, though.
 
I have too much light right now - 2 x 15w incandescent.
actually you've got very poor light, something like 85% of the electricity used by incandesents is put out as heat(i think it's actually higher) and the rest is usually off spectrum for plants. i once did an experiement and had trouble growing algae under a 15w incan. upgrade to 2x10w or 2x13w CF daylights(availible in 5k, 55k, 65k and i believe 67k, i prefer the higher k bulbs) for about 6bucks and then you'd have decent lighting.
pinkplaty, i don't think a single plant in that tank is a true aquatic plant, that could easily be why you've got ammonia. there are dying plants and they aren't consuming any nitrogen compounds from the water. if you light the way the plants look then consider getting swords or java ferns to replace the tall ones, crypts to replace the midground plants and pygmy chain swords to replace the mondo grass in the from.
 
I did some googling on these

Dracaena sanderiana and related species are popular houseplants, with numerous cultivars sold. It can survive in many indoor conditions, but indirect lighting is best as direct sunlight can cause the leaves to turn yellow and burn.
Although it grows better in soil, it often is sold with the roots in water. The water should be completely changed every two weeks. The water should be bottled water, or soft tap water with very little fluoride. It does best in bright, indirect lighting and temperatures above 15 °C up to 25 °C.
Yellow or brown leaf edges may be caused by too much direct light or fluoridated or chlorinated water, the latter of which can be prevented by leaving tap water exposed to the air for a day before plant use. Salty or softened water can also cause this.
Twisted shapes can be produced by rotating the plant with respect to gravity and directed light sources. This is difficult to achieve for most home users, but not impossible with a little time and patience.
 
yea, unfortunately the dracaena is the most popular "aquatic" plant we sell at deathco, sounds like it could be a good candidate for a FW fuge though, i've used pothos before and loved it until it mysteriously died. i like the betta in your pic.
 
actually you've got very poor light, something like 85% of the electricity used by incandesents is put out as heat(i think it's actually higher) and the rest is usually off spectrum for plants. i once did an experiement and had trouble growing algae under a 15w incan. upgrade to 2x10w or 2x13w CF daylights(availible in 5k, 55k, 65k and i believe 67k, i prefer the higher k bulbs) for about 6bucks and then you'd have decent lighting.
pinkplaty, i don't think a single plant in that tank is a true aquatic plant, that could easily be why you've got ammonia. there are dying plants and they aren't consuming any nitrogen compounds from the water. if you light the way the plants look then consider getting swords or java ferns to replace the tall ones, crypts to replace the midground plants and pygmy chain swords to replace the mondo grass in the from.
Thanks...will do as you suggest, changing incandescents for compact fluorescents!
 
trust me, you'll be amazed at the difference. if possibe get some 65k, home depot has 14w 4 packs for 9bucks and 2 packs for $5 but their 55k and wallyworld had 13w 65k bulbs for about $6 that i like a lot better but are about 3/16" wider.
 
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