help quick plz!

[fishdud]

okay so i was told that i needed new lighting for my 36 gallon bowfront aquarium. i have amazon swords and want them to live so will this be good? Current USA Nova Extreme T5 X2 Freshwater Aquarium Lighting Fixture, 2X24 Watt, 30 inch | MarineAndReef

 

[Mr. Limpet]

okay so i was told that i needed new lighting for my 36 gallon bowfront aquarium. i have amazon swords and want them to live so will this be good? Current USA Nova Extreme T5 X2 Freshwater Aquarium Lighting Fixture, 2X24 Watt, 30 inch | MarineAndReef

For a 36g I'd say that's more low/med-low lighting. If you're looking for high lighting, IMO you should double the wattage, get co2 in and a boat load of ferts/root tabs. Wait for fort or rookie to come online and see what they say though.

 

[fishdud]

But will my swords do fine? and i couldn't get the 78 watt one cause its too big for my tank x(

 

[Mr. Limpet]

But will my swords do fine? and i couldn't get the 78 watt one cause its too big for my tank x(

Plantgeek.net says swords are med to high light plants, but it really comes down to what works for you. I grew (not great growth) Cabomba in my 37g tall with about .5wpg and it's a med/high light plant so every plant/tank/setup works differently IMO.

PlantGeek.net - Plant Guide

 

[fishdud]

Well i already ordered it cause ive heard so many good reviews about that fixture and its hard to find the right lighting for my kind of tank

 

[Mr. Limpet]

Well i already ordered it cause ive heard so many good reviews about that fixture and its hard to find the right lighting for my kind of tank

Cool. I hope it works for you.

I do believe swords are heavy root feeders so root tabs are something you might want to research.

 

[fishdud]

im using jungle root tabs. and last question, do you know anything about argentine swords?

 

[Mr. Limpet]

im using jungle root tabs. and last question, do you know anything about argentine swords?

Those are the tabs I use and they work fine for me.

Do you mean Brazilian sword (Spathiphyllum tasson)? If it's the same thing, it's non-aquatic and will rot/foul your tank IMO, remove it asap.

PlantGeek.net - Spathiphyllum tasson

 

[fishdud]

no its Echinodorus argentinensis

 

[Mr. Limpet]

Humm... Plantgeek doesn't have that specific name, but here's 28 that list the first part.

Echinodorus argentinensis

 

[fishdud]

you think theyre the same as amazon swords?

 

[mfdrookie516]

I'm not familiar with that particular sword... Seems to be more commonly referred to as a Rangeri sword though. Anyhoo, that light should be fine for swords. They'll grow in about any light. In high light, over the last 3 months, I've had one sword outgrow my 40 breeder, and another get close. Lower light will just mean slower growth, which may be a good thing. Definitely suppliment with root tabs. I like flourish tabs, some tabs aren't a comprehensive tab. I'm not familiar with yours, but make sure they have N,P,K, and trace.

 

[fishdud]

Oh my gosh, thank you for that comment cause i didnt wanna be spending big money on something i didnt need.. anyways the argentine swords are doing fine, i just had i little leaf die and the rest are good. and question, if i wanted to upgrade my bulbs for my fixture, know any good places that will sell 24' bulbs with good watts?

 

[mfdrookie516]

24" T5HO bulbs are all 24w... you can't upgrade wattage with bulbs. That said, that should be plenty of light for about any plants you want.

 

[fishdud]

hmmm okay sounds good! spank you very much good sir or ma'am ha and last question, it concerns a pleco. it passed but im just wondering why i can never keep one alive >.< like it'll be fine but then it'll like be laying on its back. itll swim to the top then just float back down like its dead.