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Plant with no light

5K views 29 replies 8 participants last post by  Christople 
#1 ·
Hi I was wondering if i could put some java fern n my tank... The light is incandesent and it is well established. there are two rams, 1 bushy nose, 5 kuhlis, 3 ghost shrimp, 1 bulldog pleco, and 12 neons... the pH is around 6 and there is plenty of fish poop to go around... I wouldn't be loading up on plants just a few... I am looking for a plant that fry eat, mainly ram fry.
 
#3 ·
Mikaila31;553886]switch your incandescent to a spiral compact(energy saver bulb).

um okay where could I find one of these and what is the cost and do these come in 24 inch length
 
#5 ·
no I ment incandesent light bulbs
 
#7 ·
If it is incandescent, you wouldn't need a "24" bulb". Incandescent bulbs are the old style ones that screw into the light socket, with a filament on the inside.

Fluorescent are the tube lights, Or CFL bulbs are the spiral flourescent that were mentioned. You can buy them at Wal-Mart for a couple bucks. It is able to screw into an incandescent light socket and put out fluorescent light.
 
#8 ·
java fern basically grows basically everywhere and under a huge range of conditions and not many fish will eat it. Its one of those super plants that just works for everyone. The only issue ive ever seen with it is that if theres too much light the leaves can turn clear and melt.
 
#9 ·
Okay I have a tube light but it is not a plant light.. My tank is about 3 years old... The ligh tis about to die so what should I get and 24 inch is the size as I already knew
 
#10 ·
6700k is the max spectrum freshwater plants can utilize so i would try and get as close to that as possible but spectrums are only for fluorescent lights, i dont think incandescent bulbs come in tubes though, nor are they rated for spectrum, at least to the best of my knowledge they arent.
 
#11 ·
I have some fresh water seaweed (Subwassertang) that grows in any condition as long as no ferts are given to your plants. It is a very primitive/interesting plant. I find my smaller fish put into my tank to clear some moss off of a log will munch on this as well. If you tie it to a rock it will bush out in a very attractive manner.

I would suggest it to anyone who has a small tank, fry or other small fish that like to hide, or a low amount of light. With CO2 injection the plant will get bushier then without but it will grow no matter what.

You should check it out.
 
#12 ·
okay i will try to... any cost references
 
#15 ·
okay I am confused. I don't think my light bulb is made for having plants. I have no idea but I got the light about a year ago. The way i anchor the bulb to the hood is y sliding it into a socket and then slowy turning it once so the ligh t doesnt slip out. I dont have to screw anything in. The light has two prongs that protrude from the ends on both sides. My question is do I need anything extra to have a few live plants. I have a 38 gallon tank with, 3 ghost shrimp,2 rams, ram fry, 12 neon tetras, 2 plecos and 5 kuhlis. And what plants provide food for rams fry
 
#16 ·
okay my light is anchored by two prongs that I twist once and it locks into place. I dont know if my light is a plant light. Some other questions are do I need to add anything extra to the water for me to have a few plants in the tank and what are some plants that fry eat. I have 3 ghost shrimp, 2 rams, ram fry,1 bushy nose pleco, 1 bulldog pleco, 5 kuhli loaches, and 12 neon tetras. the eggs havent hatched yet but will in about 48 more hours. we are leaving tomorrow to go eat out so I could get a light then
 
#17 ·
It is a fluorescent tube. Somewhere on the tube or on the metal ends, there should be a wattage rating and a Kelvin rating.

Wattage will be a number followed by a W
Likewise, Kelvin is a number followed by a K
 
#19 ·
If you are worried about feeding your fry you can always boil an egg, take out the yolk and mash up the yolk with some water until it is smooth spoon tiny bits into your tank and the fry should devour it as it is an awesome source of protein for them. The mix you don't use can be put into a zip lock an frozen and next time you feed you can simply beak off another tiny bit.

I have some tiny tiny endler fry in my ten gallon that I feed like this twice a week. They seem to also eat flake.
 
#20 ·
I checked and there is no numbers or anything. It just says sun glo and made japan
 
#21 ·
I got a flora-glo 2700k and I was wondering if this would cas an algae spike in a 38 gallon with 2 plecos... also with some plants
 
#22 ·
I wish I had seen this before you bought the light bulb. If you can take it back to were you bought I would then go to Lowes, Home Depot, or Walmart and get you a 6500 Daylight bulb they are about $8.00 and are the best thing to get for plants and your fish will look awesome as well. I had the bulb you have now and I did not like the way it made my fish look and my plants did not grow well either even though it is suspose to be a plant light.
 
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#23 ·
thank you because you saved me about 10 dollars... I can stiil take it back so I will do that soon and try to go to home depot soon. Again thank you
 
#24 ·
Good, I agree with Amanda completely. GE, Sylvania and Phillips all make "daylight" tubes with a kelvin rating around 6500K. Phillips calls them "Daylight Deluxe" but just look for the K. You want the size tube that fits your fixture, measure the existing tube end to end (excluding the prongs) and that is what you want. In a T8 if you can, but a T12 will do. "T" refers to the diameter of the tube, T8 are narrower and being "newer" they are more efficient.
 
#25 ·
Okay thanks again that saved me some money... also would can I keep a few plants with out aqua soil. Just a top layer of sand and a bottom layer of medium sized rocks?
 
#26 ·
Yes to the question on plants not needing special soil. But I would not mix sand and gravel, as the two will mix together and the sand will be on the bottom and gravel on top. I would also use only one substrate, my personal preference is small grain gravel, grain size about 1-2 mm, in a dark or natural colour. This works best for plants and bacterial activity essential in the substrate. Many do use sand, but it is more likely to compact (the deeper the more it compacts).
 
#27 ·
I am afraid that I can't do anything about that
 
#28 ·
I got a common hornwort and I like the way it looks. The light does make the fish look better. I alos have a bamboo plant in there
 
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