MY PLANT GROWING ISSUES

[sushi]

I wrote a post a while back asking why my plants wont grow.
I've set up a 5g with no light for mummies and fry. The plants grow fine and are green and bright with no light and yet in my 40g with a light they always go brown and won't grow and their leaves full off and then evenually there's nothing left.

Is my light in my big tank the problem? one of the plants in my 5g is a grassy looking thing which I once had in my 40g and it died but it's fine in my 5g.
Why??
Does less fish in the tank make any difference?
Would java ferns grow in my 40g? the light says it's a 20w but I don't know. It seems pretty bright for a 20w. I just bought the cheapest one???

If anyone can help, it would be much appreciated

 

[xXMrBonesXx]

i had that problem the 1st try at live plants, i had a Sun-Glo and an Aqua-Glo for a light and my plants ended up dead but this go around is much better, my new tank sits in front of a window so it grabs light all day long and i bought 2 Aquarium/Plant Flouresents from walmart and mounted them to the top of where my tank is setting (my sig doesnt show them but there up there) and i went out and bought a cheap CO2 maker and im getting awesome growth on my Amazon Sword and 3 of my other plants (all 3 are the same but i forget the name of them) ... ive read and read that light is the most important thing for a plant so maybe try bumping that up and if you feel you have enough light then go out and grab a cheap CO2 maker and see if that helps

 

[ouchia]

i would also check the ph and kh levels to see if they are within range for plants. you want your ph to be neutral (7) and a kh within 3-6 degrees... besides that, i'd guess you need to do more water changes or get a co2 unit as mentioned...

 

[Silly me]

maybe your plant need more nutriens with a higher level of light than what is avalible in the tank?

 

[Dubby]

sushi, if you can check the exact amount of light you have in the 40g and let us know, we can then help. The wattage should be written on the bulb. Is it a fluorescent tube?

 

[tstenback]

Also in the small tank your nutrients like nitrate and phosphate will build up quicker so the level of these may be higher in the small tank and therefore the plants grow better. HTH

 

[sushi]

hello. I just had a look and my light's a 24" 20W bulb. and yes it is florescent.

Honestly, I can't afford to buy another light set up, they're sooo expensive. Can I live without it and grow plants. Are there any that will grow in this light. My 5g has java ferns which seem to do well, would they grow in my 40g? will my pleco eat them, I think he demolishes the majority of what's living on my plants.
Would the plant vitamins help? is there a DIY plant vitamin that doesn't cost so much?

Do you know if the poops and rubbish in amongst the stones (which gets ciphoned when I do it) helps the plants grow? like fertiliser?

 

[Silly me]

thats 0.5watts per gallon.. I dont think that will grow java fern, unless its close to a window

 

[Reefer 4:19:59]

With no info on what plant, temp, substrate, filtration, light duration & other sources of illumination an answer is impossible as to why some plant grows in your 5 gal but not your 40.
So a few basic observations. Your 40 has a lot of plant eaters. Are you sure the plant isn't being devoured rather than failing to grow? Carp will eat anything with possible exception of java moss. They will also uproot any plant. that is just for starters, they aren't your only "problem", piscene or otherwise.
What is your substrate & are you using under gravel? How deep?
You do not have to spend $$$$ for good lighting. Go to E-bay and get 2 34" T5s for $30. and get a gutter from DIY store line with Mylar and Voila you have excellent lighting. Or go to DIY and get ballast & gutter and make your light - CF (compact flor) or HO, VHO or T8, T12 or...... If you use standard flourescent you can buy the lamps (bulbs) at the DIY, get the full spectrum or highest CRI and 5000k - 6700k lamps, they are less than $5. each.
In the meantime, 10 - 14 hour photo period is nec, match the temp of your tank to plants that are "bunch" or not needing to be rooted such as anacharis or floaters like duckweed. I have never been able to keep duckweed in a goldfish or koi tank as it is eaten so fast but is great for the fish so have an extra tank for growing duckweed for the goldfish, cichilids and others.

 

[Dubby]

sushi:

You might be able to grow java fern and other low light plants, but its going to be an uphill struggle fighting off the algae without the extra light.