New planted tank
- Thread starter zeltora88
- Start date
If you don't like the hanging idea you can get a T5 or even a T8 shop light and fit it in a length of tin rain gutter. It's a bit of a DIY project but it can turn out a real nice light for little money.
I think the shop lights are a great idea for a quick fix! The light you have now is really not enough.
You do need the right light spectrum, you can't buy "cool white" bulbs. If they don't have a kelvin rating (for example 3200k, 5000k 6500K etc) printed on the box (make sure you check the fine print) look for "daylight" bulbs that simulate natural sunlight.
Forget about having enough fish exhaling CO2- its almost impossible- although you come close- that's A LOT OF FISH! Good thing you'll be adding some plants.
the crypts specifically are most prone to melt. They will grow back. Also don't be worried if the leaves on your sword start to die. They are often grown emersed- and those emersed growth leaves won't survive underwater- its okay, just remove them as they die, and new submersed growth should be coming up to take their place.
Root tabs will help the crypts and Swords and vals. You have more than enough nitrogen and phosphates from the fish, I am sure. You might want to add a supplement that contains potassium and micros which is pretty easy to find at the LFS. It wont hurt, but in general you did good picking easy plants and shouldn't need to fertilize. You might have a hard time with the diandra, it is always labeled an easy plant, but IME it can be finicky.
You do need the right light spectrum, you can't buy "cool white" bulbs. If they don't have a kelvin rating (for example 3200k, 5000k 6500K etc) printed on the box (make sure you check the fine print) look for "daylight" bulbs that simulate natural sunlight.
Forget about having enough fish exhaling CO2- its almost impossible- although you come close- that's A LOT OF FISH! Good thing you'll be adding some plants.
the crypts specifically are most prone to melt. They will grow back. Also don't be worried if the leaves on your sword start to die. They are often grown emersed- and those emersed growth leaves won't survive underwater- its okay, just remove them as they die, and new submersed growth should be coming up to take their place.
Root tabs will help the crypts and Swords and vals. You have more than enough nitrogen and phosphates from the fish, I am sure. You might want to add a supplement that contains potassium and micros which is pretty easy to find at the LFS. It wont hurt, but in general you did good picking easy plants and shouldn't need to fertilize. You might have a hard time with the diandra, it is always labeled an easy plant, but IME it can be finicky.
