Plant Help

[Jonny_H]

Hi all,

i'm pretty new to this so bare with me.

i've just put a few new plants in, but have noticed over the past few days a few of the leaves arent looking too healthy

now - my light unit is broken at the moment and should be up and running within another week (part ordered) so im assuming the lack of light wont be helping...

so - is it worth buying some plant food type stuff - or is this pointless without the proper amount of light???

 

[Mowbz]

Bit of both really.

If there is no light the plants wont be using much in the way of nutrients from the water at all. The nitrate from the Nitrogen cycle (assuming you've read up this etc?) will likely be enough to keep them ticking over, providing you have fish in there (Again, not sure where your up to in the hobby?)

The problem with most plants is that they are grown hydroponically (out of the water, just the roots in) so when you fully submerge them at home its a bit of a shock. Amazon Swords are a good example of this. All nice big leaves they have in the shop quickly die in your tank, turning orangy-brown and turning to mush. If you pull these off complete with stalks as they die, new shoots appear very quickly that are tolerant to full submergance. They do seem to come through thinner and longer than those that gow above ground however.

Once your lighting is fixed, its possible you will need to dose with ferts to get the best growth from them. I've recently taken up the habit of Root tablets and daily liquid ferts to keep my hair grass and anubias growing well in a 2ft, and it makes a HUGE difference, even after just a few days.

Hope this helps.

 

[Jonny_H]

Ok so assuming when my lights fixed and I get some sort of plant feed I should be alright??? I'm only having a few plants on there im not going all out just a few in the background as such?? And yes I've got fish in... Had them in about 4 weeks now and all seems to be ok (fingers crossed)

 

[Mowbz]

If its just a few hardy plants they might not need ferts at all. Your preference and dependent on your monthly "fish budget". Ive spent over £1000 in the last 5 months, and still don't have want i want. Its and addictive hobby if you dare to start looking at whats achievable

What were the last test results for the water?

 

[Jonny_H]

I'll do a test and post results..
My lights btw 1 is a blue (colour) light and 1 is a bog standard white light will this be a good amount of a light for the plants?

 

[Fishy friend2]

do you know the exact wattage of the lights that you have

 

[Jonny_H]

30w

 

[Mowbz]

Wattage of the lights is poitless without water volume. Most aim for about 1w per litre, although i think with a heavily planted tank will go for 2w per litre.

Colour "Temperature" is also important, and you'll find your bulb has a "K" factor (Kelvin) and is measure in Thousands. Daylight is about 6500k.

Take a look at what is on your bulbs. The blue is most likely either a "moonlight" bulb, or designed to bring out the colour in the fish.

 

[Jonny_H]

Well I've got a 200l tank n only 2 x 30w bulbs! I'm not sure in the K ratings! The blue is very blue tho like neon ! And ye white is a bog standard 1 from homebase lol.. Will this effect plant growth at all?

 

[stu40]

Wattage of the lights is poitless without water volume. Most aim for about 1w per litre, although i think with a heavily planted tank will go for 2w per litre.

Colour "Temperature" is also important, and you'll find your bulb has a "K" factor (Kelvin) and is measure in Thousands. Daylight is about 6500k.

Take a look at what is on your bulbs. The blue is most likely either a "moonlight" bulb, or designed to bring out the colour in the fish.

I think you mean 1W per USGAL not per L ?

 

[stu40]

Well I've got a 200l tank n only 2 x 30w bulbs! I'm not sure in the K ratings! The blue is very blue tho like neon ! And ye white is a bog standard 1 from homebase lol.. Will this effect plant growth at all?

2x 30W over 200L is fine.It's similar to my set up.Your white 'bog standard' is also ok.I don't use 'aquarium' branded bulbs and have no issues growing plants.

 

[Jonny_H]

Ok what about the blue bulb? Its a neon blue will this affect the plants etc? I think im going to get a reflector for the white bulb anyway but I'll leave the blue one?

 

[stu40]

At the risk of giving you duff info i don't think it matters about the colour range due to plants adjusting to the light source available.There's a thread on the planted forum, from a while ago, but can't find it right now.
While we're at it are we talking about T5 bulbs (thin, about 15mm, 5/8" in diameter) or T8 (25mm, 1" diameter).Lampspecs do cheap replacement bulbs and it's good to change T8's every 18 months or so.T5's less so.
Adding reflectors will increase the output by 50%.If you only want a few hardy plants i personally wouldn't bother with the extra light this would produce.

Stu

 

[Mowbz]

Wattage of the lights is poitless without water volume. Most aim for about 1w per litre, although i think with a heavily planted tank will go for 2w per litre.

Colour "Temperature" is also important, and you'll find your bulb has a "K" factor (Kelvin) and is measure in Thousands. Daylight is about 6500k.

Take a look at what is on your bulbs. The blue is most likely either a "moonlight" bulb, or designed to bring out the colour in the fish.

I think you mean 1W per USGAL not per L ?

Yarp