Need help choosing right plants

S

sillyputty

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Dec 10, 2004
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I have a 37 gallon tall aquarium. A couple of weeks ago I put in a water sprite and an Amazon sword. The water sprite literally disintegrated and the sword leaves got very thin and discolored looking. I had just the eclipse light that came in the hood. I have since bought a 20 watt 18,000 K light, on at least 12 hours a day. I do just have gravel. I have also purchased some plant food now.
I also put in a plant that looks like tall spiky grass and is varegated. The roots look like a banana bunch.

What plant suggestions would you make? I this light enough for at least low light plants? Would like something tall in the back and another low plant in the front. Java fern maybe?
 
I'd try to get a lower K bulb as well - 18000K is very 'blue', and plants will do best with light that's more balanced - anywhere from ~5500K to 10000K would be okay I think, with ~6500K or so being ideal - this is generally what 'daylight' or 'full spectrum' bulbs are AFAIK.
Sorry your plants died, that's very discouraging. Don't give up - once you get more light on the tank they'll be fine.
 
Check out this plantguide for low light plant ideas before you buy more lighting. Java fern and java moss would probably do fine in your tank the way it is, and there are probably more.

low light plant guide
 
Thanks for the low light guide.

I just don't "get" this light thing. I thought a bulb with higher "K" would be better. I wonder what the eclipse one that came with my fixture is? I also got another one from kmart that is a Pen-plax Aquaria-lux 20 watt. It doesn't say what the "K" is.
I pretty much figured out that a multible fixture light would be much better but they seem very expensive and can't do that right now.
Can someone explain how the light thing works?
 
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