I May Have Gotten the Wrong Hairgrass

[Kyle E.]

Note API root tabs and there liquid leaf zone fertilizer only have iron and phosphorous. Only 2 of the 14 nutrients plants need. So API fertilizer products depend on your water or fish to provide 90% of the nutrients your plants need. With API products you are likely to have several nutrient deficiencies which will cause algae issues. When there are no nutrient deficiencies algae issues are generally minimal or easily controlled.

Ahh. So maybe that's why there's algae on the sword leaves. PetSmart didn't have other root tabs. I have since found out my local Petco has much better selection of supplies.

NCaquatics my tank dimensions:

30in long.
18.5in tall.
12.25in wide.

29 gallons.

I would then guess I need two of those 15 inch lights? And have you had any problems with the suction cups failing on you?

The plants I want to grow are not particularly demanding. Amazon sword, dwarf hairgrass, and frogbit at the moment. I just know that my flourescant light probably doesn't have the right light spectrum, (PARS, whatever they call that) to give the plants what they need. I know LEDS are much better at that. I am pretty sure my bulb isn't a plant bulb either but I don't really know as it came with the tank I got from a private seller.

 

[CassCats]

Have had the suction cups fall once but the light is 100% submersible and water proof.

You could buy 2 to fit the tank.

But price out if its cheaper to buy the 2 submersibles or to just buy a bracket one with a DIY clear lid (acrylic would work fine)

 

[Kyle E.]

I think the bracket one is about the same price as 2 of those honestly not even counting the lid. Also I already am going to need to lower the level of the water for my frogbit coming on Tuesday so that the light spread out enough before it reaches them so if I have the light underneath the lid then I have to lower it ALOT. So thanks for the idea but I think it might not work for me. I will have to remember those for the future though.

 

[CassCats]

Alternatively you could try out a 10000k rated t8 bulb in your current fixtures to see if it improves anything.
Petsmart usually carries the Coralife 10000k daylight bulbs, may help out, cant hurt to try out

 

[Kyle E.]

That is probably the smart thing to do! I want an LED light any way but it would mean possibly changing my whole setup so I am not sure it's worth it. That may very well end up being what I do.