From doing some reading, I will need CO2 for the plants. I have Amazon Swords, Wisteria, Ludwigia, Java Moss, Moss Balls, and Anubias. What will I need now to ensure productive plant growth and health?
Lighting wise, I have 3 24" T-8 fixtures, which I am hoping is enough light, for I have no money to spend right now.
I know some are going to mention the fish in my Sig, but I plant on moving the plants, once these fish begin to mature.
CO2 injection is not necessary, enough Carbon can be obtained naturally. The four part guide at the top of this forum will explain it all better than I ever could.
It only becomes necessary if you have bright light, and need extra CO2 to balance the system. You are far from high light with that setup, high light would often be using T5HO's.
CO2 injection is not necessary, enough Carbon can be obtained naturally. The four part guide at the top of this forum will explain it all better than I ever could.
It only becomes necessary if you have bright light, and need extra CO2 to balance the system. You are far from high light with that setup, high light would often be using T5HO's.
That's usually needed. Most use Flourish Comprehensive here in the US, it has everything you need in the right proportions. For swords and crypts, a root tab, also by flourish, can help them out and lasts 2 months.
So Heres all the pictures of my tank. I hope these looks alright. Any suggestions are more than welcome. That last picture is a lovely little scratch I noticed, must have happened when I was cleaning up the tank last night, I hope I have nothing to worry about (it's not leaking, and it looks and seems like its more of a surface scratch, from the fake driftwood rubbing against it when cleaning), scratches are common...right?
Also let me know what some of them are. I know Amazon Swords, Anubias, and the Ludwigia, but whatever else I may have missed or dont know, let me know.
one thing, you need to get that anubias out of the sand, the root system, and the long stem thing rhizome i think its called must not be planted in the substrate. it needs tying or attaching to a piece of driftwood or rocks. it'll die otherwise
Ok so how much should I need? Like to stick with the fixtures themselves, but if I need to get new flourescent bulbs, which kind, the hight ouput t-8s?
The reptile bulb is putting off UV light :S Better get the fish some sunscreen! I'd replace that tube.
24" T8 are actually 17W, I believe 20W are for the older T12's. Byron can let you know what ones are good for plants that you'll find in a petstore. Hardware stores (where I live) don't carry daylight tubes for a 24" T8, I ended up buying them online from eBay (the thread about that is on this same forum if you want to check it out). But Petstores carry them, I just don't know which name it's called.
Agree, lose the reptile tube. And as the other may be getting old (tubes should be replaced regularly, T8 I find lose intensity significantly between 12 and 15 months) might as well replace all. You want T8 that are the same length as your present tubes (24 inches).
At this point you can go with the less expensive "daylight" tubes that will be available from some hardware-type stores or the more expensive special tubes available from fish stores.
GE, Phillips and Sylvania make tubes having a 6500K rating and these work well. I use GE and Phillips along with my Life-glo. The main thing here is the 6500K.
For fish store tubes, I have Life-Glo which has a 6700K rating. There is also ZooMed's Ultra Sun at 6700K, slightly less expensive. These two I know and they are good. I have not tried the CoralLife 50/50 but others have said they seem to work.
Agree, lose the reptile tube. And as the other may be getting old (tubes should be replaced regularly, T8 I find lose intensity significantly between 12 and 15 months) might as well replace all. You want T8 that are the same length as your present tubes (24 inches).
At this point you can go with the less expensive "daylight" tubes that will be available from some hardware-type stores or the more expensive special tubes available from fish stores.
GE, Phillips and Sylvania make tubes having a 6500K rating and these work well. I use GE and Phillips along with my Life-glo. The main thing here is the 6500K.
For fish store tubes, I have Life-Glo which has a 6700K rating. There is also ZooMed's Ultra Sun at 6700K, slightly less expensive. These two I know and they are good. I have not tried the CoralLife 50/50 but others have said they seem to work.
I wont replaced them all. because they are practicly brand new, but I will replaced the reptile bulb.
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