5.5 Gallon Planted: Attempt Two

[d9hp]

This will be my second time setting this tank up as a freshwater planted. It has been over a year since my other tank was set up, so I hope I have gained some knowledge since then. I now will be running a 32 watt powercompact over the tank, but half of that is an actinic which, if I remember correctly does nothing for plants. The other half is 10k....and again...trying to jog my memory I think a lower rating is best. Will this be sufficent for my tank?

I will be using a medium sized aquarium gravel as the substrate, and some schultz aquatic potting mix under that. I have rock in the tank now, which was once live rock for my reef tank. It was set out in the sun for a week, thoroughly cleansed with water, and has been in my tank for 3 weeks with everything running. If you can tell me any problems that may arise please let me know. Also, if you have any questions I will try my best to answer them. Thanks.

Dustin

 

[Mr Burns]

10K is passable for a planted tank, but the 50/50 will not work as well as something in the 5500K-6700K range. the 50/50 could lead to some bad algae problems.

i don't know much about live rock.....

 

[d9hp]

Ok, thanks..ill look into replacing it for a 6500k sometime in the near future.

 

[JoeMomma]

Live rock is calcium based. It will boost the pH of your water, I think. But really, you don't want a lot of rock in there anyway. I have a freshwater and a saltwater, and I don't think I would like the look of bleached coralline algae in my planted tank. Try some driftwood.

Good luck!