New To Planted Tanks.. Any Advice?

[Caty1113]

First of all, hi, I am new to this forum

I have a 55g tank with a 10g sump/hang on overflow. I have 4 x 65w compact florescent bulbs over it. Got flourite gravel with some lava rock. The lights will be on 11ish hours per day. I also am adding Flourish and Iron.

Should I have any problems growing my plants well? I have a CO2 system but it is a DiY. I've never actually grown plants before so I have no idea about anything. I got a few today, inc

-Rotala
-Watersprite
-Swords
-Java Moss
-Cabomba

And six little platy fish.

Any advice would be appreciated

Caty M.

 

[lljdma06]

Reduce your lighting by at least half. Reduce your photoperiod to about 4-6 hours. Plant extremely densly. Seriously consider investing in Pressurized CO2. At least for now, invest in a dropchecker to check your CO2 levels. Invest in a source of macro and micro nutrients.

You, IMO, have way too much lighting. For what you currently have setup, you should have 1 65W bulb.

But where are my mannners. Welcome to TFF. We'll help you out here. May I suggest that you look at PARC

llj