Suggestions Needed...
- Thread starter Kyohti
- Start date
If you can find a 15w screw in CFL bulb that fits your hood, I suggest you do that. If not, then an 11w bulb is ok if you choose the right plants.
A low light setup is easy once you have the right plants that aren't near dead. You also have to consider the size of your tank, it's not very tall so most stem plants shouldn't be used longterm.
Suitable plants for your tank without fertile substrate:
java ferns & mosses
anubias nana or nana petite, coffeefolia may get too big for your tank
marimo balls
You'll have better success with the following plants with a fertile substrate or root tabs:
most crypts
dwarf clover (marsilea crenata)
Now while I said most stem plants shouldn't be used longterm, you should use some in the beginning or if you are ok with trimming them frequently. The following will work in low light:
anacharis
hornwort
water wisteria
water sprite
At 11 or 15w of light, you don't need CO2, though it would help. You may not need to use any fertilizers if you do weekly water changes, though it's a good idea to have some on hand. The growth will be very slow, so patience is needed. And plant heavily from the beginning, don't wait for the plants to fill out or else you may see algae instead.
A low light setup is easy once you have the right plants that aren't near dead. You also have to consider the size of your tank, it's not very tall so most stem plants shouldn't be used longterm.
Suitable plants for your tank without fertile substrate:
java ferns & mosses
anubias nana or nana petite, coffeefolia may get too big for your tank
marimo balls
You'll have better success with the following plants with a fertile substrate or root tabs:
most crypts
dwarf clover (marsilea crenata)
Now while I said most stem plants shouldn't be used longterm, you should use some in the beginning or if you are ok with trimming them frequently. The following will work in low light:
anacharis
hornwort
water wisteria
water sprite
At 11 or 15w of light, you don't need CO2, though it would help. You may not need to use any fertilizers if you do weekly water changes, though it's a good idea to have some on hand. The growth will be very slow, so patience is needed. And plant heavily from the beginning, don't wait for the plants to fill out or else you may see algae instead.
I didn't have a lot of money to work with initially, and I didn't know what would work and what would die off, so I bought one of each for the anubias, the 2 crypts, and a 2-inch patch of moss. The others are being sent to me, gratis, by the person who sold me my snails that chewed apart my anubias plant. She's a very nice woman. 
Java ferns and hygro came in. Beautiful plants!! Ran out and bought a coconut shell to establish the ferns on. I also bought some liquid fertilizers.
One by Hagen and another by TetraPlant. They are .15-0-0 and 0-0-3. Are these sufficient? And can anyone suggest a substrate tab/spike brand for my crypts?
One by Hagen and another by TetraPlant. They are .15-0-0 and 0-0-3. Are these sufficient? And can anyone suggest a substrate tab/spike brand for my crypts?
Can you give the name of the Hagen and Tetraplant product?
Seachem Flourish tabs - bury the tab deep into the substrate and don't disturb it afterwards, or else hello green water.
Seachem Flourish tabs - bury the tab deep into the substrate and don't disturb it afterwards, or else hello green water.
Plant-GRO by NutraFin (Hagen products)
Fertilizer Stats: 0.15 - 0 - 0
Contains: Nitrogen .15, Boron .0005, Copper .0005, Iron .26, Manganese .05, Molybdenum .0007, and Zinc .003
Directions: Add 1 tsp per 10 gallons initially, then 1 tsp per 20 gallons each month or with each water change.
~~~~~~~~
FloraPride by TetraPlant
Fertilizer Stats: 0 - 0 - 3
Contains: Potash 3.0, Iron .19, and Molybdenum .0005
Directions: Add 1 capful per 10 gallons each month/with each water change.
Fertilizer Stats: 0.15 - 0 - 0
Contains: Nitrogen .15, Boron .0005, Copper .0005, Iron .26, Manganese .05, Molybdenum .0007, and Zinc .003
Directions: Add 1 tsp per 10 gallons initially, then 1 tsp per 20 gallons each month or with each water change.
~~~~~~~~
FloraPride by TetraPlant
Fertilizer Stats: 0 - 0 - 3
Contains: Potash 3.0, Iron .19, and Molybdenum .0005
Directions: Add 1 capful per 10 gallons each month/with each water change.
Last edited:
Since your tank is a low light tank, those ferts should be enough. They don't have phsophates but that can come from the fish food and waste.
Pant-GRO by NutraFin (Hagen products)
quote]
Where can I find this "Pant-Gro" stuff? I've put on a little weight lately...
Sorry Kyohti, I know it doesn't help, but I couldn't resist. phanmc's got you covered anyhow.
Pant-GRO by NutraFin (Hagen products)
quote]
Where can I find this "Pant-Gro" stuff? I've put on a little weight lately...
Sorry Kyohti, I know it doesn't help, but I couldn't resist. phanmc's got you covered anyhow.
Yargh!! Typo, thou art mine enemy... :thud:
