I was wondering what I could do to boost the growth my plants in my 55g tank. Right now I have three plants: one Amazon sword, a bunch of dwarf onions and one whose name I’m not sure about. It has long stems and a white flower (only one petal) with something about the size of my pinkie (not as long though) in the middle. The Amazon sword grew very rapidly when I first introduced it in the tank but ever since I added the dwarf onions, it’s been slowing down. Are there any fertilizers or anything I can put in the tank to help them grow a little? I am also planning on putting one or two more plants in the tank in the future. I have asked my LFS but I don’t trust their advice really. Currently I have 2 oscars who haven’t been too destructive with the plants and 1 pleco in the tank. Lighting is provided by two 19W florescent light bulbs.
How to boost my plants' growth???
- Thread starter TML29
- Start date
Fertilizers will help your plants. Specifically Seachem Flourish Root Tabs placed underneath your Amazon Swords.
Unfortuantely, your current fixture is barely enough to keep your selection of plants alive. If you really want improved growth changing your lighting from your two 19 watt fluorescent to a more "plant friendly" fixture like ahsupply.com 2x55 watt kit will help dramatically.
-John N.
Unfortuantely, your current fixture is barely enough to keep your selection of plants alive. If you really want improved growth changing your lighting from your two 19 watt fluorescent to a more "plant friendly" fixture like ahsupply.com 2x55 watt kit will help dramatically.
-John N.
more light would be your best bet. also think about your stocking. 2 oscars and a pleco (my guess common pleco) wont be able to live in a 55 gal for long.
Yes, I'm planning on buying a 125g + soon. And the pleco is rubbernose so he will stay in the 55g since they don't get that big. Lighting could be a problem because I had a look at ahsupply.com and the 2x55 is a bit pricey and also I don't really want to mess with the lid anyway. Could I just replace the light bulbs with something with more watt?
Consider CO2 injection, plenty of post around this one.
My LFS supplies a refelctive 'mirror' which clips behind my light and claims to double the lighting. I've got to say I've just fitted it and it works!
My LFS supplies a refelctive 'mirror' which clips behind my light and claims to double the lighting. I've got to say I've just fitted it and it works!
No. You can only put in the wattage bulb that the fixture and ballast is designed for. You do not have enough light to grow any kind of plant, except maybe algae. Brown algae grows well under sub standard light. You should have 2 watts per gallon of water. You are not even at 1 watt per gallon.
Your other problem is that an Oscar is not a plant friendly fish and will shred most plants eventually, or at the least dig them up.
One alternative is you can buy 48" shop light fixtures at Home Depot for around $8. Each fixture holds two 40 watt flourescents. One fixure will fit over the tank, and a second fixture will sort of fit next to it. The 4ft daylight bulbs run about 6 dollars each.
I really wanted to have plants in the tank to make the environment more natural for the oscars. I have had oscars long enough and done enough research to know that oscars and plants are not a good combination but it's worth a try. I guess I could try some fertilizer, CO2 and more lighting within my limits. I'll give Home Depot a shot. That's not a bad idea actually. I don't know whether my LFS has those light reflectors but I'll look into it as well. This is like a test for my 125g, you know,what the setup is going to be, what's going to go in it and everything.
i have t8 shop lights and they are working great. there is no way the reflector is going to double your light.