Help

[liljosh609]

Anacharis is dying in my 55 gallon and java fern not growing. The water was around 80 so I have lowered it to 78. Lighting is 2 15 watt bulbs and I think that might be why. Any suggestions, and how much would it be to by higher watt bulbs? Thanks

 

[johnanthony74]

well from what i have been reading and told by others, i to have a 55 gall tank and made it planted. you want atleasst 1 watt per gallon. i had to go to petsmart and purchase a t5 ho light ballast and bulbs. needless to say in a few days i see a difference in my plants and also in my tank. the light was 50 bucks and bulbs were 20 for the pair. cheap upgrade for a super lighting system that helps my tank thrive overall. any other question.... just ask away. but yes you will need to upgrade your lighting system

 

[BBradbury]

Tank Lighting

Hello liljosh...

You have a couple of plants that require moderate light and you have a low light tank. The Java fern is a slow grower and can do well in low light. I have a number of them in my 55 Gs with less than a watt per gallon and they do very well.

This Egeria variety you have needs moderate light and CO2 to do well. Not a good choice for low light. I'm not a real plant expert, but I believe 80 degrees is at the high end for this plant.

Best to up the wattage on the lights and lower the temp a little more to the mid 70s or look for some low light plants, like Anubias, varieties of Cryptocoryne and some of the mosses.

B