Planted Aquarium

[CoPz]

Hi all

I have a planted aquarium...I have normal type gravel (if that makes sense). I fertilize once a week but I'm finding that my water is turning red, I've read up that it could be my fertilizer...if it is, how do I stop my water from turning red? Also my plants aren't doing too good, I'm assuming because I don't have enough light, I only have a 20 watt fluoresent bulb on...If I get another 20 watts, will that be enough? I am having a hard time finding a canopy with two bulb fittings though. Anyway, let me know what you think!

Thanks!

 

[Lateral Line]

You don't say how big your tank is or what plants you have, but it doesn't sound like much light. If you've not got enough light, no amount of fertiliser is going to help, so I would stop adding it until you need it, (rarely necessary).

Only things like Anubias and a few Crypts will grow in low light.

It is very difficult to generalise without knowing your tank size and shape but generally >1 Watt per gallon is low light, 1-2 is medium 2-3 is bright >3 is very bright.

>>> my plants aren't doing too good

Get your light right first.

 

[CoPz]

Sorry, It would help if I put the size...it's a 25 U.S. Gallon tank. Here are some of the plants that I have... amazon sword, Lobella, Sag Natan, Ludwigia glandu cosa, Bacopa... one or two others but don't know the name of them. It is hard for me to get more light...the maximum I think I can get for this tank is 40 watts without spending a fortune. Will that be enough?

 

[allnatural]

I think you should get another light strip. 40 watts will be much better than 20. You may find that this improves your plant health. Give it a try!

Some tips: Don't clean your gravel too much. Plants like the gook that accumulates and decomposes on the bottom. Try adding a little more fish food to the tank instead of so much plant fertilizer. In fact, get your light, stop the plant fertilizer, and try adding a little more fish food. See what happens...

--Tim

 

[Lateral Line]

The swords and maybe the Sag. can possibly survive in lower light, but the others you mention all want more than that. I definitely think you should get more light in there.