how do i do a low lighted planted

[a&j_tanks]

can some teach me how to do a planted tank

i want to do it with my 55

stock 2 plecs. 2 clown loaches, 2 platys, 4 zebras, 3 hbs, 1 neon tetra, 1 glass fish...4 more clowns soon

filtration, 1 emp 400, 1 pen 200

heater is a 150watt

tank temp is always 80*

alittle hard water..ph is at 8

 

[Ozymandias]

well the first question is what is youre lighting

 

[Bk718]

looks like you only have 18-20w over that tank.. You would have to get atleast 1.5wpg to be good for a low light tank. So the first thing is upgrading your lighting.. Then its getting any low light plants which is fairly easy. Check out www.plantgeek.net they have a section for low light plants

 

[a&j_tanks]

 

[Ozymandias]

yup defiantly want to upgrade that light

 

[Bk718]

yep as i said you need to upgrade your lighting. 15w/55g is really really really low

 

[a&j_tanks]

i have another 15 watt but it got wet

can i get a 30 watt bulb to put in where my 15 was?

 

[Bk718]

these are t-8 tube lights and for that size they dont get higher in wattage. You would either have to do a retrofit and use screw in cfl or buy a new fixture.

 

[Riiz]

If you want a low-light/tech planted tank, you should upgrade lighting like everyone else has suggested. I'd try to get the light up 1.0 WPG (watter per gallon) at the minimum. Easy accomplished by using a single bulb 48" T-5 HO fixture and if you need more, go after a dual bulb unit.

As for plant recommendations, jave fern, anubias, crypts and mosses are good choices. And as long as you keep light under 2.0 WPG, no need for CO2 or fertilizers.

 

[mavisky]

You have a 48" long tank, even the standard 40w 48" bulb isn't enough for a planted tank. I ran just one good 40w bulb over my 55 and all it did was slow the death of my plants, but they were all suffering. In the end I went full DIY on my cabinet and couldn't be happier as I'm now at about 2.9 watts. You could to two 40w t8's or t12's for under $100 and that'd put you right around the low light minimum.

This housing for instance
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+3817&pcatid=3817