Planting My Tank

[chesterjohn]

Yea, Juwel Rio 240.

Ah ok. You won't be able to find lower wattage bulbs for the same length, trust me. Sounds like you have a Juwel Rio 240....?

What problems would carbon deficiencies cause? Algae blooms?

Yep. The plants won't grow because they need the carbon. Results in algae, the worst kind (black brush algae, Cladophora, Rhizoclonium, Oedogonium, Staghorn and Spirogyra)

Large plants and floating plants seems like the way to go.

That sucks, I'm not a massive fan of floating plants, but suppose it's better than the eternal struggle against the algae. What plants do you reccomend for ease?

Would there be any problems in removing one of the tubes? that would give less than 1 WPG

 

[RadaR]

Hygrophila species
Ludwigia species
Tropical Hornwort
Elodea
Amazon Swords (I couldnt contain my Red Flame)
Ambulia
Indian Fern

I think if one tube is disconnected then the whole system doesnt work.
You could fix a reflector to the underside of one tube so prevent the majority of light entering the tank. Seems a waste I know.

 

[chesterjohn]

From quickly googling the pictures, I already have:

Tropical Hornwort
Elodea
Amazon Swords
Ambulia


and possibly even Indian fern although I can't quite remember. For the stem plants, do you just let them float? I currently have them anchored down with gravel because I prefer the effect.

My Amazon swords are kind of at the back as they are big, does that mean they need moving slightly forward to shade other things?

 

[RadaR]

Generally stems should be planted but it doesnt really matter.
Feel free to move the swords more forward. I'd leave them where they are and just build on what you have already (get more plants).

 

[chesterjohn]

Ok, so today I blacked out one of the lamps with tape, so it should be around 1WPG. Cleaned a little algae off, then when I looked before coming to work, there was a fair bit of it all over the sides and gravel. Not a lot, but enough to suggest it's going to be a problem soon

I'm now seriously considering buying a CO2 pump for the tank, but have absolutely no idea how to run this without killing my fish