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Starting Member
 
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Last Login: 8/22/2008 5:41:06 PM
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| Hi, I got 3 plants when I set up my tank about a month and a half ago, a Java Moss, a Java Fern and an Anubias. The Java Fern & Anubias turned brown which I read somewhere was from too much iron. I have a single daylight bulb which the guy at the lfs sold me. I was going to forget live plants and just go with plastic, until I heard Davis Lass say he's a firm believer that fish do best with live plants. So, I guess I'll give live plants 1 more try before I go to plastic. I was using Flourish which the guy at the lfs sold me. This time I think I'll try without adding anything. Any ideas on why plants would turn brown? staffordmom
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Average Member
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What kind of light do you buy? incandescent bulb, florescent strip or compact florescent? Also what it the wattage and the size of the tank. normally those plants really do not need any additives or ferts to keep alive
__________________________________________ 46 Gallon Tank Planted-8 Cardinal Tetras-10 Harequin Rasbora's-1 Albino Bristlenose Pleco 10 Gallon Tank Planted.
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Starting Member
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| It's a 29 gallon tank. The light is a Coralife Colormax 24 inch 20 watt flourescent freshwater aquarium daylight lamp. It's a full spectum light that simulates the sun at high noon. I leave it on for 12-14 hrs a day. staffordmom
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Average Member
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| 20 watts of light is not much light for a 29 galllon. Normally a good rule of thumb it to have a least 1.5Watts of light per gallon. you have about half of that. You may need to upgrade your lighting to grow those plants. If you decide to upgrade your lighting, please think about what type of plants you will want to keep in future. Upgrading lights can get expensive. Perhaps buying a mulitlpe bulb fixture would be best. That way you could run the watttage you need today and add bulbs for other plants down the road. Try Craigslist there are usually a lot of people selling ligthing systems for cheap, or if it's a new set-up ask the LFS your bought it from and return it or trade it in for a bigger system. I have two lighting fixtures that I have no use for because I did not want to spend the money for a powerful system up front. On the flourish.. I wouldn't use it for now. If your plants are not getting enough light they will not be able to use those ferts.
__________________________________________ 46 Gallon Tank Planted-8 Cardinal Tetras-10 Harequin Rasbora's-1 Albino Bristlenose Pleco 10 Gallon Tank Planted.
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Average Member
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I have been following this thread as I have the same problem. Exactly what amount of watts is needed in a tank 40-55 gallons to effectively grow plants? I have the exact same bulbs on my hood.
1 chug-chihuahua and pug
1 dachshund mix
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Fishkeeping GURU
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It depends entirely on the plants. Some plants do well with only one watt per gallon, but others may need upwards of four or five. Here is a list of low light plants that should grow (though very slowly) with at least 40 watts of light on a 40-55g tank. http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_list.php?category=1&filter_by=2 I wouldn't go with less than .75 watts per gallon with any plant (except perhaps java moss...that stuff is unbelievable) if you want it to actually grow and not just survive.
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Moderator
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Glad I've convinced you to keep live plants. The ones you mentioned have the lowest light demand of any plants, and I'm surprised they turned brown. If I were you I would just try them again, leave the light on for 12 hours a day, and don't add anything in the way of additives. Those plants are slow growers, and they should get the food that they need, with the amount of light you have, from the fish and the fish foods.
***************************Be warned -- everyone at college has a weird roommate. If you don't have a weird roomate -- then you're the weird roommate.
Conan O'Brien, Stuyvesant High School.
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Starting Member
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Last Login: 8/22/2008 5:41:06 PM
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| Thanks David, If you think they'll do ok with the light I have I'll try them again, only not adding anything this time. staffordmom
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