ADA low light tank, no you do not "need" high light

Look here for topping of the stem plants, you do not have to do this straight type cut, rather, you can make nice mounds when trimming and they will all grow out and back in that shape.

Just like hedge or bushes you have in the yard etc.
http://akuatic.no.sapo.pt/Nature Aquarium Gallery/g6.html

http://akuatic.no.sapo.pt/Nature Aquarium Gallery/k2.html

http://akuatic.no.sapo.pt/Nature Aquarium Gallery/l6.html

and here with the same method used in the ADA 1.5 w tank above

http://akuatic.no.sapo.pt/Nature Aquarium Gallery/f3.html

Regards,
Tom Barr
 
Excellent discussion.
All I'm missing is a little more information on what constitutes "adequate" light for growing hairgrass etc. in a 46g bowfront (I think it's 24" deep).
I've been thinking a lot about swapping out my single 96W PC bulb for a pair of 55W bulbs (I think all I would need is extra endcap, new reflector). Would that be "just enough" light at 24" or should I start thinking about 65W bulbs or a pair of T5s?

The reason I strongly suspect that I don't have quite enough light for groundcover (except for M. quadrifolia) is that I can't grow Cabomba - it drops its lower leaves pretty quickly and eventually dies. Other "lower light" plants do well in my 46.
 
Do these tanks require fancy Co2 units or can this be accomplished with the DIY kinds? I have the hagen ladder thingy in mine, I have no idea how much Co2 is getting in the tank.
 
Generally a tank this size or over 30-40 gal needs Canned Gas tank CO2.

Do not fool yourself into believing that gas tank CO2 is not worth it.
Folks drop well over 100$ for lighting, yet will not spend more that 5$ for CO2?

That's the point of the thread, low light + CO2 = excellent growth and results over the long term.

Cheap variable DIY sources = algae.

I've done it and kept up on my DIY, but gas tanks are really worth every penny and no work at all.

Fear is one reason, not knowing about the equipment is another and not realizing how useful gas tanks CO2 really is can be the other block.

Regards,
Tom Barr
 
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