New Tank And Plants Don't Look Good

[Kombat]

I setup a 29-gallon tank last weekend. The guy at the lfs sold me some Anacharis. He said they are good starter plants. I also have a Betta and 5 White Clouds in there during the tank cycling process.

The Anacharis' having started to look brownish and the leaves are falling off. I bought the Marineland 29-gallon kit and am using the bulb that came with it. It is just a 20-watt bulb, and according to the manual will only take a 20-watt bulb. I feel I am not giving them enough light. I don't have the money right now to upgrade to a fixture that will take HO bulbs, so if that is the problem they are just going to die and I'll live with fake plants for a couple of months. Will those 20-watt bulbs at the fish store that say they are for plants like AQUA-GLO really help or do I just need more wattage? Or could there be a problem besides lighting?

Thanks,
Karl

 

[Jen]

Are you adding any fertalizers to the water?

Are the bulbs the screw in bulbs... the incandescent? or are they Flourescent? That could be your problem. Incandescent bulbs don't give off the right light for growing plants.

 

[Kombat]

It is a flourescent bulb, and have NOT added any fertilizers. Also, I am using Florite as the substrate. Now that I think about it, fertilizer probably would be good. Since I am still cycling there isn't any fish waste or nitrates for the plants to use.

Thanks,
Karl

 

[Jen]

Flourite is great for plants that root feed, but offers very little for leaf feeders, which i believe Anacharis is. I could be wrong on that one.