What Type Of Lighting Do I Need?

[itsmedeanna64]

Good Morning!

I need some info on what type of lights I need for my planted tank. This is a 55 gallon (2 hoods, 2 bulbs) that came as a kit from Petsmart. This tank is on day 10 of a fishless cycle. The bulbs in it say 15 watt. I am confused as to what I really need for my plants. My plants came yesterday and I have probably 25 in it right now.

Also, when is it suggested that I put the plant food in for the 1st time?

Any suggestions? Thanks so much!

 

[RedShark]

What do you mean by plant food?
What kind of plants are in your tank?
What kind of substrate do you have in the tank?
Have you done any research on planted tanks before putting plants in your aquarium?

 

[RedShark]

I dont know why it posted twice, sorry.

 

[itsmedeanna64]

Sorry I didn't include this information. I appreciate your help.

*The 'plant food' I am intending on using is Flourish Excel. That's what I was talking about, anyway!

*My subtrate is pea sized gravel or maybe smaller than that.

*I have read alot about live plants on the web and every thread in this forum I think!

*The plants I got are:Anacharis, Cork Screw Val, 3 types of chain sword, Rotala, Pearl Grass, Java Fern, Java Moss

Hope that's enough info.....

 

[Incitic]

Most plants you have chosen require medium light. You have around 0.5 wpg and medium is around 2wpg or 110 watts for your tank.

There is no real suggested time to put your fertilizer in but it is important to remove the carbon from you filter as it will soak it up. Also there is no point in putting in extra nutrients if your plants arent getting light (for extended periods)

What redshark probably meant with substrate was whether or not you were using laterite/flourite. A fair few of your plants could benefit from a nutrient rich substrate.

I'd recomend sticking with the low light/difficulty plants while your a beginner. The java fern and moss you have should be fine in your current conditions. The others may survive, I dont know however as I havent kept them before.

You might wanna check out http/www.plantgeek.net/plantguide.php

HTH

 

[itsmedeanna64]

Good Morning!

Does this mean I need 110 watts total with BOTH bulbs or 2, 110 watt bulbs?

I am a bit confused as to what 'subtrate' means. Can somebody explain?

Thanks so much!

 

[itsmedeanna64]

Me again.......

I am having trouble finding good plant lighting bulbs to fit my 55 gal. I've been searching this morning at different websites. I have 2 fixtures on my tank and bulbs are 17 inch long (that includes the silver caps on each end, and would be 15 inches if you're just counting the glass part. Every website I've found has the 15 inch bulbs at 15 watts and nothing higher than that. Am I looking in the wrong place? Can comebody give me a hint as to where I might find what I need?

Any help would be so greatly appreciated!

 

[George Farmer]

Hello Deanna Cronan

<I have read alot about live plants on the web and every thread in this forum I think!>

Have you read the pinned thread on lighting? 2 to 3 Watts per Gallon is ideal for a planted tank if you intend injecting CO2 (another pinned thread).

For a very good lighting supplier in the US check out this link - http/ahsupply.com/mcart/index.cgi You may have to DIY a little but it will be worth it for decent lighting.

Substrate is the medium in which the plants are rooted i.e. gravel, sand etc. Plain pea-gravel is not ideal on its own as it contains no beneficial nutrients that plant roots need. Most pea gravels also contains lime that will increase pH and hardness over time - something that is not ideal in a planted tank.

Choosing a substrate is a very personal choice and there are many possiblilties, all varying in price, availabilty and effectiveness. Some popular choices are Seachem Flourite, Eco-Complete to name a couple. Again do a search on "substrate" and you should find plenty of info.

Personally I find a grain size of 1-3mm ideal, any larger can block delicate root growth and smaller (like sand) can lead to possible compacting (again blocking root growth). Many do have great success with sand however.