Can't even grow hornwort!

ditto^^ and the insufficient light. As a similar comparison, In a 20H with just one 15W T8, I could not keep hornwort or anacharis alive. At twice the wattage (T8 or CFL) I could grow most low-light plants.
 
I've never had Hornwort come back from melting after a move or getting it, so I consider that untrue, if only for me and my tanks. I've gotten it and it handled the move just fine and slowly started growing. Other stems from the same batch melt and die, yet some don't notice a move and are fine. Never took off until I moved it to another tank, though.
More light and lower temp, 76-78F.
 
My water temp is down to 76 degrees. I'm going to look around for a T-5 dual light fixture or retrofit my existing light with a kit. My existing light and the tank frame have an Oak finish that matches the Oak stand. The stand is solid Oak with cabinet style doors and is a beautiful piece of furniture. I would like to keep that look, if I can.
I'm open to suggestions on the light. Thanks for all the help.

Dan
 
Ok, Sorry to dispute. But 2 watts per a gallon is NOT NEEDED. It really depends on the plants and what kind of work you really want into this. I have both Anacaris and Hornwort and they are in a tank that runs right at 80 degrees in temp as well. No issues at all with either plant because of temp. Ive also had these plants grow in as little light as 15w T8 over a 20 gallon High tank, along with Anubias, Java fern, Amazon Swords, crypts, Wisteria and about 4 other plants that are low to mid light. Would I recommend a light upgrade? Sure.. IF you want to do the additional things that can possibly go with it. Light is what drives plants, To much and plants suffer without Ferts and Co2. To little and not enough for some species to grow or even live. You could either do a DIY CFL light set up with 2 bulbs and have closer to 1w per gallon. Still low light but lots will grow fine with that. Or you could buy a T5NO 2 bulb light set up from Aqueon/Coral life. The bulb range you need is around 6,500 to 6,700K and as high as 10,000k. This would give the best spectrum for plant growth. I woul NOT do T5HO lights. This would be to much light and would most likely create an algae farm as well as drive the plants to need much more. Again it really depends on what YOU want to invest and do. High light tanks need Ferts and Co2. They also need specific plants meant for high light. if your wanting a good tank that grows plants like Hornwort then Id recommend shooting for not much more or around 1w per gallon or so.

Here is the info for Hornwort.

Information​
[TABLE="align: center"]
[TR]
[TD="width: 240, align: left"]Common Name: [/TD]
[TD="width: 240, align: left"]Tropical Hornwort [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 240, align: left"]Proper Name: [/TD]
[TD="width: 240, align: left"]Ceratophyllum submersum [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 240, align: left"]Category: [/TD]
[TD="width: 240, align: left"]Stem Plants[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 240, align: left"]Temperature: [/TD]
[TD="width: 240, align: left"]10 - 30 C [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 240, align: left"]PH: [/TD]
[TD="width: 240, align: left"]5.0 - 8.0 [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 240, align: left"]Lighting: [/TD]
[TD="width: 240, align: left"]Low[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 240, align: left"]Growth Rate: [/TD]
[TD="width: 240, align: left"]Very Fast [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 240, align: left"]Difficulty: [/TD]
[TD="width: 240, align: left"]Very Easy [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 240, align: left"]Origin: [/TD]
[TD="width: 240, align: left"]Africa, Asia and the America's[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 240, align: left"]Position in Aquascape: [/TD]
[TD="width: 240, align: left"]Floating [/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


Temp it can handle would be as high as 90 degrees. So I dont think its heat.

Hornwort can melt/shed when moved or replanted. Sometimes you have to just let it see if it will come back.

Again. Figure out if you want to put alot of work into a tank or little. Then you can decide on how much light you need and the plants you want. As well as what other things and expenses you will need to. Feel free to give a shout if I can help.
 
After giving this more thought, I will probably just replace the bulb with one better suited for growing plants and see what happens. My tank has an undergravel filter, so I just plan on having easy to grow floaters in my tank (plus the Anabias). Hopefully I can find a T-12 bulb in that range.
I've got my water temp down to 76 degrees.
Reduced my water flow from the hob filter to reduce surface flow.
Placed what's left of the Hornwort directly under the light.
I debating on whether to add a supplement like Flourish Excel. It gets good reviews but I always hesitate to add chemicals to my tank. Any thoughts on that?
I also plan to get a new phosphate test kit and see if my phosphate level is really zero, like my really old test kit says.

Sounds like a plan!
Thanks,
Dan
 
Did you try just allowing it to float instead of planting it? Try that for a while It actually prefers that.

Excel is nothing more a carbon source. Its possible your missing Macro and Micro elements. Even if you dont want to do dry. Get yourself a good liquid fert you can use. Personally Dry ferts are cheaper and easy to use. But it needs to have balance of both the macro and micro. The Excel may help, But if the other nutrients are lacking or you dont have the right spectrum or quantity of light it still will be tough. Balance is the key between Light, nutrients and water conditions.
 
Why do you want to grow hornwort when you can grow anubias mosses etc. in almost no light and they look great
 
Why do you want to grow hornwort when you can grow anubias mosses etc. in almost no light and they look great

My main fish store is locally owned and very well kept but they don't seem to have a lot of selection when it comes to floating plants. There is a Petsmart and a Petco in my area and I'm going to see what they have.
 
Najas grows well under low light, even a 24" T8 strip light on my 20 high. I have hornwort growing in my 33 long under a regular 4' shop light, 1 6700k plant bulb and 1 10k full spectrum bulb. You definitely need a suitable spectrum bulb, but if you want some Najas I have loads of it available.
 
I bought a new light fixture that matches the Oak trim on the tank. It is an Aqueon and is pretty much a direct replacement for my All Glass brand tank. It isn't a high output light but it uses a 36" T-8 25 Watt, 8,000 K bulb. Much more light (probably 50% or more) than my old 24" 20 watt T-12 bulb and the 36" length allows the light to cover the ends of my 36" tank. The tank really looks nice with the additional light.

The Hornwort died, so now I'm trying Anacharis. If my Anacharis lives, I'll post a picture of my tank in 2 or 3 weeks.

Thanks again for the help.

Dan
 
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