New Tank

[NinjaSmurf]

Well, I recently was given a just shy of 19 gallons tank to do with as I please, and I was hoping to actually be able to plant this one. It's 12in deep, 12in high and 30in long. I've figured with a bit of work I can get about 55 to possibly 65 watts total. This seems to give me between 2.89 wpg to 3.42 wpg, depending. I believe this would be low light plants, but other than the Java's, I'm not sure what all could be considered that would do well in this tank. I also don't want to have a CO2 setup, as I don't have the funds to deal with one of them at all. I also wasn't sure if it being 12in if I could manage slightly higher-light plants.

Lol, lot's of boring questions, I know.

Is this good enough for plants or am I'm just going to have to settle for a few java ferns in my ten?

 

[qwikimpss]

With 2.9-3.5 wpg you will really need to go with some form of CO2. The cheapest way is to go DIY with a 2 liter soda bottle with the sugar yeast mix. With that amount of lighting you can grow just about anything your little heart desires! Low light is considered by many to be <1 wpg, read the pinned lighting article, should anwer a lot of your questions.

 

[NinjaSmurf]

I thought you needed at least 2 watts just to be able to consider growing anything other than algae. Well. Looks like I'll have to check out this soda bottle thing.... That, I have.

Ooo, swords....

 

[qwikimpss]

I have my sorta hi-tek 29 with CO2, compact flourescent light and flourite substrate that has 3 wpg and then i have my lil 10 gallon with 1.5 wpg with some java fern, java moss and Dwarf Sag....that look big in an itty lil tank! You'd be surprised what u can do with a lil light, but with nearly 3.5 wpg you can do A LOT!

 

[George Farmer]

Hi Ninjasmurf

Not sure where you got the info that 3 WPG is low light, it is medium/high light and in a 12” deep tank will be more high light. My 34G is 2 WPG and 20” deep and I have no problems growing plants (with no algae).

As qwikimpss correctly says you need to inject CO2 with that much light, especially as your tank is relatively shallow; your plants will be getting a lot of light and they will need the CO2 to keep things balanced and prevent algae.

Another important point is with your light and (hopefully) stable CO2 you will experience high growth and nutrient uptake rates. These nutrients will need to be constantly available to your plants otherwise they stop growing and algae takes hold. EI is the solution.

My advice for you would be;

1. Read the Lighting, CO2 and EI articles pinned at the top of this forum.

2. Choose a decent substrate. Flourite and Ecocomplete are ideal but expensive, they can be mixed with plain gravel for a cheaper option. Laterite mixed with gravel is also good and cheaper. Try to use a lime-free gravel with a grain size of 1 to 3mm.

2. Get your CO2 running before lighting – STABLE 30ppm is ideal. Unstable CO2 may cause algae issues – you only need to read through some of the threads on here to see that. Stable CO2 with DIY isn’t easy but is possible. Use two bottles and change the mixtures alternately keeping a close eye on bubble rate and pH (CO2 levels.)

3. Sort out your fertilisers. I highly recommend EI.

4. Plant heavily from the start with fast growing stem plants, cover at least 50% of your substrate.

5. Run your lighting 5 hours on, 2 off, 5 on.

6. Watch your plants grow with no algae!

Hope this helps and good luck.

PS Obviously if this seems a bit too much hassle/expense then you can just run less light (I'd recommend aabout 1 to 1.5 WPG) and grow lower light plants with no CO2/EI.

 

[NinjaSmurf]

Um, this may sound silly, but after reading all those pin ups, I will be able to have fish in this tank right?







I got spooked after reading about the fertilizers

 

[zig]

Um, this may sound silly, but after reading all those pin ups, I will be able to have fish in this tank right?







I got spooked after reading about the fertilizers

[snapback]893060[/snapback]​

Yep fish will be no problem just be careful with the co2 if you go that route, dont over do it, but personally i hav'nt had any casulties yet.