My Thumbs Are Not Green!

[gearhead65]

I've managed to kill almost all plants in my tank except for my Crypt Lutea, Crypt Tropica, Java Ferns and Hornwort. Despite upgrading my lighting and dosing everyday, my plants died anyways. I do realize that some sort of CO2 system would have been the redemption for all, but I can't afford the time or money for a CO2 system. I had Cabomba, Anacharis, Java Moss, Aponogetons, and Moneywort. The Moneywort and Aponogetons grew very fast to the top of the tank and then just stopped completely and then withered away. For some reason, I can't even grow the infamously "easy to grow" Java Moss. I guess I will stick with Crypts and Java Ferns, which are thriving

BTW, would Excel be an ok substitute for CO2? I know it's not as good, but it should help, right?

 

[myrtle]

You've hit the nail on the head! If you've increased your lighting with no CO2 the plants will struggle and tbh I'm surprised you've not got algae problems. Excel/Easycarbo is a substitute for pressurised CO2 but not as good and will be more expensive in the long run.
Basically, the carbon is the plants building blocks and the high light will drive them to grow too fast for the amount on carbon available causing them to weaken and die off. In a lower light/non CO2 tank the plants will grow slower but will be growing according to the amount of available carbon therefore keeping them healthy. Anyone who understands the science behind planted tanks better than me please correct any of that bit as I'm not too scientificly minded!
IMO your best bet would be to either downgrade your lighting and grow plants suitable for these conditions (I think you've already worked out what some of these are!) or dose liquid carbon (as you say). How big is your tank and what is the lighting etc?

 

[gearhead65]

It's a 30 gallon and I replaced the single 18 watt T8 with four 12 watt CFL bulbs.

 

[myrtle]

With your original lighting you had 0.6 watts per gallon and now you have 1.6 or probably more as I believe cfl are stronger than T8. You should be ok without CO2, but liquid carbon won't hurt. Hopefully someone else will come along soon and help out!