Quick Question

[Ace Of Spades]

Hi I dont normally venture to this part of the forums , But I have a 60 litre tank with a 15W White T5 Bulb.

Im setting this up as a breeding tank for blue eyed rainbows, and I want it very desnley planted tank so the fry have got alot of chance of surviving.

My Questions are:

1) Is this enough light power to plant my tank?

2) Will I need any type of CO2 System if so can anyone suggest one?

3) I was thinking of buying some ECo complete gravel, is this good Idea and could I mix it with my other gravel?

4) Finally got any suggestions of plants, I would like big plants at the back some medium size plants, then something like grass at the front.....?


Is all of this possible ?

Many Thanks
Ace Of Spades

 

[Themuleous]

Hi,

1 - its enough light for low light plants, but a second 15w wouldn't hurt if you were able.

2 - No you dont need co2 in a low light tank, but it cant hurt if you have some spare cash. The nutrafin kit would be a good option for a 60lt.

3 - EC is a great substrate. Remember that it does raise the GH and KH of the water for the first few months. Its not cheap, so you might want to look into base layer substrate like tetra or tropica.

4) There is a pinned list of easy care plants, that would be suitable for your set up.

Sam

 

[Colin_T]

I would have 2 lights and use a liquid iron fertiliser (Sera Florena or something along those lines).
And fill the tank with Ambulia, Hygrophilla polysperma, Pygmy Chain Swords & narrow Vallis.

 

[Ace Of Spades]

I would have 2 lights and use a liquid iron fertiliser (Sera Florena or something along those lines).
And fill the tank with Ambulia, Hygrophilla polysperma, Pygmy Chain Swords & narrow Vallis.

The thing is its a tetratec tank or something, And the lid has a lgiht built in and theres only rooms for one, and the lid is built onto the glass and I dont think I can remove it too put lights on it

 

[Colin_T]

fair enough. In which case you will have to stay with what you have.
Otherwise dump the whole lid, replace the coverglass and buy a double light unit.

You should still be able to grow some plants even under 1 light. Try some of the plants listed above and see how they do. You can have the lights on for up to 16 hours per day. If you start getting algae everywhere, then decrease the lighting period.

 

[aaronnorth]

I struggled with low light plants in my 60l with 15w??? dont ask why! I upped it to 36w which is higher than i wanted to go but it is the only spare lighting unit i had. The nutrafin is the best fermentaion kit you can get IMO, it is cheap and easy to use.

 

[Ace Of Spades]

I struggled with low light plants in my 60l with 15w??? dont ask why! I upped it to 36w which is higher than i wanted to go but it is the only spare lighting unit i had. The nutrafin is the best fermentaion kit you can get IMO, it is cheap and easy to use.

Yeah, Well the tank is already running so its mature, but i had luck with my plants, but ever since I used some spare coral gravel I had lefy other nothin survives, I might siwtch back....


Im thinking of spending this weeks money on my downstairs tank and reading more into this as I thought it was just going to be add plants and go xD

 

[aaronnorth]

I thought it was just going to be add plants and go

he he - not that simple i'm afraid.

 

[Ace Of Spades]

Ok, What if......

I got a Co2 System, Got Normal Substrate.....and left it at 15W and adding aquarium plant fertiliser........Would my plants still thrive?

 

[Colin_T]

CO2 is not worth having with only low light. If you increase the light then get a CO2 unit. Otherwise don't worry about it.
Just try growing plants with the light you have and add some plant food to the tank. See what happens. It won't set you back too much money and it might be fine.

 

[Ace Of Spades]

CO2 is not worth having with only low light. If you increase the light then get a CO2 unit. Otherwise don't worry about it.
Just try growing plants with the light you have and add some plant food to the tank. See what happens. It won't set you back too much money and it might be fine.

Ok mate thanks.....All the plants you listed are low light?

They all seem like background plants? Any Ideas for forground?

 

[Colin_T]

they are more moderate light plants but they are tough enough to grow under most conditions so should be fine. The Pygmy chain sword is a low grower but might not get enough light. Try the Ambulia, Hygrophilla polysperma and the narrow vallis. See how they go. If they do well then try some pygmy chain sword for the foreground.

 

[Ace Of Spades]

they are more moderate light plants but they are tough enough to grow under most conditions so should be fine. The Pygmy chain sword is a low grower but might not get enough light. Try the Ambulia, Hygrophilla polysperma and the narrow vallis. See how they go. If they do well then try some pygmy chain sword for the foreground.

Hmm ok mate, theres always alot more help in the specialized area's, Many thanks

 

[aaronnorth]

Theck out this thread for easy plants -

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...p;#entry1382934