Not so corky corkscrew

[dewilde2]

I just got a big plant order on Saturday and am for the most part pleased. The vallisneria corkscrew, dwarf hairgrass and blyxa japonica came looking a little brownish and weak, and the corkscrew in particular seems on its way out. I know it's only been a couple of days but i wanted to try to save it if I could do something (or correct something I'm doing wrong).

Here's my specs:
10 gallon
(2) 10 watt compact fluorescent bulbs
Eco-Complete Substrate
Dosing: Flourish Comprehensive twice weekly, Flourish excel every other day
Plants (from left to right in the pic): dwarf hairgrass, amazon sword, vallisneria corkscrew, marimo balls, micro sword, java fern, blyxa japonica

Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[da jig iz up]

those marimo balls are cool as hell.
Sorry I can't help ya.

 

[tanker]

IMO--I think you will need more then 20watts for the swords and Val.

 

[dewilde2]

Yea, I know about the lights but I haven't been able to find any higher wattage bulbs that will work with my fixture.

Any other advice?

 

[tanker]

You are going to have to change lights (new top). You not too far off. A PC or so is all you will need. Plue a little C02 and you will have a jungle.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

more light will help..... i would try to put the plant right under the bulb for the greatest chance of getting max amount of light.

good luck give it time....

 

[canucksfan1]

i dunno i am only running 23 watts on my 20 gallon long, and my swords are starting to do great, they were near dead when i put them back in here. My tank was setup with 52 watts, diy c02, and ferts, but then i had bad algea probs and gave up. Then a couple weeks ago i tore it all down took out the lights and c02 and so far have not added ferts (got some small fish and a baby oscar just to grow a bit so he doesn't get beat by the fish in the tank he is going in) and now my swords are growing super well, all the dead leaves are almost gone and the new ones are super nice and growing really really well and fast.

 

[happybob59]

for your vals....I dont think youll need more light...ive got mine growing like weeds in a 40 breeder with 1.5wpg check my siggy and you should be able to see my tank

 

[sovereign51580]

I got my corkscrew valls in last Thursday and they do look a little sickly, but I've already noticed that practically every one of them is growing new highly 'corkscrewed' leaves. One of them seems to grow a quarter of an inch per day.

I agree with the others - try a little CO2. I'm using the Turbo CO2 system by Red Sea. It's been working very well for me so far.

 

[beviking]

Spreading them out a little wouldn't hurt.