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Adding light

1K views 1 reply 2 participants last post by  Byron 
#1 ·
I have a 20 gallon high tank. I currently have a Hagen Life-Glo bulb on for 9hours. I am having trouble with my stem plants decaying. I have lost my two ludwigia. Floating plants and rooted plants are doing better. From other reading, it seems I don't have enough light.
My light set up is a single hood fluorescent, over an Aqueon glass Versa Top to try to minimize light loss. What is the easiest (AKA cheapest) way to add additional light to better penetrate the depth of the 20 high and properly bask my light seeking plants?
Also, should I remove my charcoal filter? Will the charcoal absorb the fertilizer?
 
#2 ·
Yes on the last two questions; carbon adsorbs [I didn't mis-spell that, it is adsorbs not absorbs:)) some nutrients. As well, live plants do the job the carbon is doing with other substances better, so leave it to the plants.

On the light issue, adding another fixture, or getting a fixture with dual tubes, is the only option to add more light. But before doing that, consider different plants. I use minimal light and simply avoid plants that can't manage. Brazilian Pennywort is a stem plant that will do well with less light than most stem plants, I have it. Most of the sword plants also manage fine; the red leaf species are less likely, they need more light being red, but the green leaf species are OK.
 
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