Plzzz Plzzz Try To Help Me Out

[Dude]

ive been having many problems with plants

i was wondering if someone could help me with lighting for a ten gall

right now i have a 11 wat tube

its just a regular standard tube (i have no clue what spectrum it is)

there is indirect sunlight from 6 to 6

i keep my lights on a timer that is set from 4pm to 2 am with a 2 hour pause from 6-8

then again at 7 am untill 9am


no co2.....

and not an option either (no $$$)

i am using liquid ferts


my fish right now are 10 cardinals

thats it

i would really really appreciate your help

edit...my tank is 49 cm is length

so the tube cannot be bigger than 45cm

 

[Dubby]

Hi Dude:

It is interesting to see that you have your lights on through the night I have mine on from about 10am till 4pm and then 5pm to 9pm.

Try to get low light plants such as Hornwort, Vallis, Crypts, Anubias, Java fern etc.

Get a few algae eaters to help you such as Mollys, Otos, SAE, plec, shrimp etc.

If you can increase the lighting that will definitely help.

You dont need CO2 with your present level of lighting, but once you increase it you can cheaply add CO2 using a DIY setup (old coke bottle). Read the pinned articles on this forum to get you started.

 

[Luke_e]

By problems with plants what do you mean? Algae, no growth, dieing?

 

[Dude]

By problems with plants what do you mean? Algae, no growth, dieing?

they are still alive and slowly dieing... well getting yellow

as far as algea goes i have had none yet

they are growing but very very slowly but in the same time they are dieing....

Hi Dude:

It is interesting to see that you have your lights on through the night I have mine on from about 10am till 4pm and then 5pm to 9pm.

Try to get low light plants such as Hornwort, Vallis, Crypts, Anubias, Java fern etc.

Get a few algae eaters to help you such as Mollys, Otos, SAE, plec, shrimp etc.

If you can increase the lighting that will definitely help.

You dont need CO2 with your present level of lighting, but once you increase it you can cheaply add CO2 using a DIY setup (old coke bottle). Read the pinned articles on this forum to get you started.

yes my lights are on in the night cuz i love to stare at my fish b4 i go to sleep... lol

ill try those plants you recomended ....
im trying very very hard to find ottos ... but they are allways sold b4 i get them
i have guppies are they algea eaters?

as far as co2 goes
ill try my best to find the least expensive way to get some co2 in that water!

 

[Luke_e]

Yellow leaves suggest lack of nutrients (or so i've remembered reading since i've taken an interest in planted tanks). I'm sure someone can give you some further advice.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Try running lights 12 hours on and 12 off.

I suggest using flourish excel over diy co2.

Different plants have different needs- be sure you research the plants before you buy them.

 

[Dubby]

im trying very very hard to find ottos ... but they are allways sold b4 i get them
i have guppies are they algea eaters?

as far as co2 goes
ill try my best to find the least expensive way to get some co2 in that water!

No, unfortunately guppies are not known for their algae eating skills

DIY CO2 is very cheap as all it involves is an old coke bottle, some tubing, and to be safe, a non return valve. The running costs are that of using 1-2 cups of sugar, a pinch of yeast and water !!!

You can always grow plants without CO2 or loads of light. Its a matter of choosing the right plants, water conditions and substrate.

As a start I would suggest you go for a sand based substrate and go for the plants I had mentioned earlier. A thin layer of clay below the sand would be of great help. I am assuming that you want to spend minimum money. Let me know if you need more info.