Better Lighting for Plants. Please Help!!

[EthanBeltramo]

I want to get more plants for my tank, especially carpeting ones, but they all require higher light needs. I don't want to spend to much, or by a new fixture, I just want a bulb more suited for plants. It is a 36 gallon tank and currently has an aqueon full spectrum 17 watt T8 24" bulb. I would like some suggestions on lights to use.


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[Coursair]

Until you can upgrade your fixture, a different bulb won't make a lot of difference. Unless you're willing to inject CO2 into your tank which also costs money for that rig, adding higher light to your tank will just grow algae.

You cannot exceed your light fixture's parameters. Doing so can cause a fire.

If you buy a different fixture that is medium to high light you will need to add CO2 to be successful with a carpeting plant.

What is the Kelvin number on your current bulb ? I recommend 6,500K or close to that. That is close to natural sunlight at the equator. The Calvin number refers to the color of the light Spectrum.

A T5 fixture might be the most affordable but I don't know for sure as i I deal in lowlight tanks myself.

This one I'm posting is just an example. I have no idea if this fixture would work for your tank.
http://www.amazon.com/Odyssea-Aquarium-Light-Fluorescent-Fixture/dp/B005GV50DK


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[Coursair]

A paintball CO2 rig is usually the most affordable for doing a high light tank.


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[EthanBeltramo]

I was suggested an aqueon floramax t8 17watt that is designed to fit my fixture. Is at any good. I want some small foreground and carpeting plants.


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[EthanBeltramo]

This if it helps


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[Coursair]

20 watts over a 36g tank will never be more than low light. No matter what bulb you put in it. I don't know if you'll like the rosy hue of the floramax ? Better than a bulb that's way too blue, I guess.

You might check craigslist for used fixtures. I think that would be better in the long run than just changing out your bulb.

Short-term ...changing out your bulb is not a bad thing. I'm not saying don't do it.


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[EthanBeltramo]

I want plants.. Is there anything I ca add to get some. I want something to fit on my tank



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[Coursair]

You can grow plants under your current light or under the new bulb with that current fixture. You just need to pick low light plants like Java ferns or moss balls or a anubias or crypts. Crypts require root tabs.

Here are couple of pics of my lowlight tanks. Granted they are only 10 gallons so the light can penetrate short tanks easier but just know you can grow plants in your tank.





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[EthanBeltramo]

I want the grass like one, can u name them


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[EthanBeltramo]

Would this work with my light? Lilaeopsis novae-zelandiae "Micro Sword"


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[BigQFan]

Carpet plants need high light. I have found this to be true to my own frustration. Microsword won't do anything but die on you with your current set up. I have tried over and over again


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[EthanBeltramo]

Any foreground plants than? Also, bananas any good?


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[Coursair]

To get a plant to carpet and grow low you need higher light. Even if the micro swords lived in your tank they would grow scraggly and tall searching for light.

I think you need at least medium light to grow any sort of a carpet. You could try stretching out Java fern along the floor. But it would take constant trimming to keep it looking good. I haven't tried it.

Star repens is a decent looking med light plant. Same advice though, in lower light it will not carpet and may not survive.

Looking at the listing for the micro swords it even says right on that page that it needs high light.

Carpeting plants look awesome, but in general they are a PITA and a heartbreaker for beginning Aquarists.
Unless you can afford a med-high light fixture and a CO2 rig, I would stick with plants that you can succeed with and enjoy.

If you had a smaller tank you might get away with less light.

You can try Micro swords. I never tell people not to try a plant just understand it may die.




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[BigQFan]

It's not quite a carpet but I have had good luck with dwarf sag. It filled in the whole front of my 20 long but after that kinda stopped spreading out


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[Brian_Nano12g]

This tank is limited by that stock fixture.. until you upgrade, you're limited to low light. But if you really want a carpet, you can get some stainless steel mesh and tie moss to it. Eventually the moss will grow in, very slowly, and you'll have a moss carpet.

Edit:
Not my pictures, but here are some examples of using mesh to tile moss and create a carpet.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EEsHjHMGhr8/T_-0oLdO-DI/AAAAAAAAAPM/Bf-lL1QIcdA/s1600/IMG_1423.JPG



http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m80/Tsi_User/Fish and Plants/IMG_0065.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm100/clwatkins10/IMG_0102.jpg

 

[EthanBeltramo]

Cool, but isn't metal bad for tanks


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[Coursair]

SS is ok.

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[EthanBeltramo]

K


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[EthanBeltramo]

In my tank I have

Anubias

Amazon sword

Anacharis

Money wart I think

Onion bulb

Aponogeton

Asian water fern

Moss ball



The only thing that doesn't seam to like my light is the moss ball. I actually have algae in my tank



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[Coursair]

In my tank I have

Anubias

Amazon sword

Anacharis

Money wart I think

Onion bulb

Aponogeton

Asian water fern

Moss ball



The only thing that doesn't seam to like my light is the moss ball. I actually have algae in my tank



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How long are you running your light for ?

I only run my lights 6 to 8 hours a day total. Over that can cause algae.


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