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isaac newton

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Mar 22, 2003
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Plz help.. LIghting and substrate

I have a standard 20inch lenth hood made by perfecto purchased at petsmart.. I have a 15 gallon tank with a 17 watt florcent bulb thats been in there for 2 years.. My plants keep dieing except my java ferns.. My javaferns are doing quite well that they are actully spawning new ferns on the tip of the leaves.. Im guessing that java ferns thrive in shady areas which my tank is since it is only 17 watt.. Is there anyway i can increase the light output by putting a 18inch florsent bulb on that light fixture? Im trying to find one that is more than 15watts but having no sucess.. DO u know where i can buy one? Ill try to get some pictures uploaded so u guys can see what im doing.. Also i have "Tideline Natural Coral Sand Pure Marine Substrate". Here is a link scroll down to tideline stubstrate. Is that substrate sutible for growing freshwater plants?
http://www.petco.com/productlisting.asp?tab=3&c1=1038&ct1=D%E9cor&c2=1042&ct2=Gravel&dept_id=1042&
 
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Is this substrate 100% coral? If so, I don't think you're going to be successful with fresh water plants. Coral raises the pH and hardness parameters of your water. IMO you would be better off with a substrate that is more conducive to raising fresh water plants, many of which don't do very well in hard, alkaline water.
Also, the wattage you now have is very low. You would be able to grow a very limited variety of plants with that wattage, but you are going to have more success with 1 1/2 - 2 watts per gallon. If it was me though, I'd address the substrate issue first however.
Len
 
I agree, your substrate was designed for use in saltwater aquariums, or african cichild tanks, even...but not good for plants at all....go with either flourite or onyx sand or a mix of either with natural gravel....also, your light is too old..at 2 years, it has lost most of it's usuable light..they need to be replaced every 6-8 months, and try to get full spectrum light(s) in the 5000-6700K range. If you take care of those 2 problems, you are well on your way to having a successful planted tank.
 
You may want to look into SeaCem's Flourite or Onyx Sand. Good stuff! :)
 
Ack dang it

The substrate i have not is not usable???? Ug... Im gong to the beach soon.. I live in Oregon state going to newport.. Is it possable i could use sand as a usable substrate???? I just bought that for 20 bucks!!!! could it be possable that i mix sand with the substrate i already have??? The substrate consists of mostly crushed sea shells... I usually go clamming down in newport and the clams usually rest in this black sand.. If it is ok for me to put sand into my tank would u recomend i use the black sand or sand from tidal flats (which is white)?? I really dont wanna pay another 20dollars for another pack of substrate :(
 
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Beach sand is practically the same thing you have in your tank now...it will NOT work..you need to remove all of the crushed coral from your tank if you plan on keeping any plants or any fish that isn't a saltwater/brackish fish or an african cichlid.
 
Substrate

Will "Seachem Tidal Marine Substrates" work???? http://www.petco.com/productlisting.asp?tab=3&c1=1038&ct1=D%E9cor&c2=1042&ct2=Gravel&dept_id=1042&


Ive had this corral in there for about 1 year... Is it possable i could layer the "seeachem tidal marine substrate" on the bottom and on the top layer the crushed coral and seashell???? Do i need to replace substrate or leave it in there for life?

Here are a few pics of my tank
http://www.angelfire.com/scary/fish98684/DCP_3539.jpg

http://www.angelfire.com/scary/fish98684/DCP_3540.jpg

http://www.angelfire.com/scary/fish98684/DCP_3541.jpg


Also about the lighting.. I have a 10 gallon tank.. i believe i can hold about 15 to 18 watts.. Is that enough light???? Are there any retrofiting that can incerase the output of my hood??? Its made by perfecto?? It seems that trying to get these plants to grow right is being extreemly expensive to do...
 
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