Homemade Fertilizer???

[gkeren]

I recently set up my small 6g FW tank. I have 6 green neon tetras and 1 betta, 2 snails and a couple shrimp. I have two plants: a Baby Tears and a Broadleaved sword (Echinodorus bleheri). the baby tears plant is doing well, however the sword seems to be getting a tinge brown on one of the leaves. I have the lighting that came with the tank (an eclipse 6g). I've never had flourescent bulbs before so not sure about the wattage. The bulb says: T5-8 watt, so is it 8 watts?
I wanted to know if i need to up the wattage or not?
Also i wanted to fertilize, but was wondering if there is a homemade recipe instead of buying it via LFS?

sorry about the stupid questions. thanks!! :bowing:

 

[John N.]

Baby tears I've seen can grow in lower light, but not as fast. I think most swords will need a little more light. Consider getting a retrofit from ahsupply. 36w kit will do but you must add Flourish Excel or DIY CO2. Ferts are a good thing with higher lights also.

But you can always go with your stock lighting, and get anubias, crypts, and java fern for plants. Check out the plant finder on aquaticplantcentral.com for good low light plants.

Gregwatson.com is the closest your going to get for homemade ferts. KNO3, K2SO4, KH2PO4, Plantex CSM+B.

-John N.