20L

[mike455555]

ok iv got a 20l aqua one 300 tank it came with a standard compact 11w pl lamp... do you think this is enough for dwarf hairgrass? as it doesn't seem to be taking to well is so how can i up the lighting without haveing a lamp on the side? (its got a light in the hood of the tank which looks very smart)

 

[ian]

The thing is Mike, that it's not all about the light. Light is the driver when it comes to growing plants, but there are other things that need to be taken into accout. What ferts, C02, and what is the flow like in the tank?

 

[mike455555]

the only flows from the filter its not to strong but provides quite good... im not useing co2 in the tank and the ferts well no chemicals lets put it that way altho the substrate is river bed (went out collected it and boiled it up) so it should be good enough

 

[ian]

I personally wouldn't up the light, as you'll need to start adding some carbon addition into the tank. In turn you'll be needing to add some more N and P on top. If this were my tank, i'd be temted to use some easycarbo in there anyway. It might just give the hairgrass a kick start. As i say though, you'll need to think about some N and P as well.

 

[mike455555]

easycarbo is droplets or what? how would you add it to the tank?

 

[ian]

yes, Easycarbo is what we'd class as a liquid carbon. It's make up is different to pressurised C02, people say if you'd score pressurised Carbon as a 10, Carbo would be a 7.

found here

http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/easy-life-easycarbo-250ml-p-1716.html?zenid=3d66f89b8853c8cb3cd0d1aa55f40908

 

[mike455555]

thanks iv got pressurized co2 in my bigger tank (just a simple defuser) would it be a good idear to use a smaller version of that? or isent it worth it for the size of the tank?

 

[ian]

On a 20l i would go with the Carbo, it works out a lot cheaper. You'd only need to dose half a mil a day. So, 250ml is going to last ages!

 

[mike455555]

all right thanks i might pick some up tomorrow then =] ... iv just added to otos so would it effect the bacteria in any way or the cycle?