Lighting and Suggestions.

[Rezis]

Hi, I have a 24 gallon fresh water tank.

I have 2 types java moss, java fern, and annubias.

I'm currently using a single Coralife 50/50 6000k actinic 03, 20 watt, 24" -T12 flourescent bulb on a 30" fixture.

I recently found out that this lighting is for reef tanks.

I would like a bulb suited for plant growing. I'm also making a DIY co2 system.

Are there single bulbs out there that suit me? Or am I better off getting a new fixture such as the nova extreme t5ho? or are those overkill?

 

[BigJim]

Welcome to AA!

With your plants, that's all the light you should need and CO2 would probably be a waste of time and effort. You've got a group of hardy low-light plants that do well in almost any tank.

If you want to grow plants that require stronger light, consider stepping up to a two-bulb T5HO fixture with bulbs in the 6500K spectrum. A fixture that uses two 24" T5HO bulbs would give you 2Wpg.

 

[Rezis]

Just to be sure, so with this bulb I should be able to fill the tank up with the current plants I have to just grow all over?

And get the two 24" T5HO bulbs would give you 2Wpg for higher light plants.

If i get the two 24" T5HO bulbs just for my low light plants, will it make them grow even more? or kill them lol.

Thanks for responding btw

 

[BigJim]

The plants you have are rather slow growers. More powerful light will make them grow a bit faster, but you have to be patient. If you do upgrade your lighting to the T5HO, I'd suggest CO2. I've had a little success with DIY CO2, but it wasn't enough on my 29g or 20L to take care of the BBA.

 

[Rezis]

Whats BBA?

Sorry to sound repetitive, but if i filled up my tank with just java ferns, java moss, and annubias, will my current bulb be able to keep all of them?

I noticed some leaves are turning yellow and brown, and some leaves turned black and died. I was guessing those are a nutrient problem so I started dosing the tank with seachem flourish. Am I diagnosing and treating properly?

 

[BigJim]

BBA is black brush algae. It's generally the biggest nuisance in a planted aquarium.

How long do you keep the light on during the day? Aim for 8-12 hours a day.

 

[Rezis]

8-12 hours a day, will do.
Thanks for the help