Hi everyone!
I have a tall 30 gallon tank with the eclipse 2 cover/filtration system (with the blue pad and biowheel). I've been trying to get plants to grow in my tank forever now and it has become a bit of a black hole.
I've got two 15W Powerglos in the lighting fixtures right now, but I've only been able to get an amazon sword and anubias to survive. While they do survive the big leafs have mostly died and the new sprouting ones don’t seem to grow at all.
I'm aware that my lighting is pretty low as far as the WPG rule goes (and I've heard tall tanks need more light to grow as effectively as long ones). I have fluorite for my substrate and 2 angels, a gourami and a tiger barb (he doesn't nip my angels yet --hopefully it stays that way! ).
I've been thinking of completely overhauling my tank to support more robust plant growth. I've looked into compact fluorescents but im not sure if they'd fit in the fixtures. I only have two pins and they (compact) all seem to have three, not to mention they take up space im not sure my lighting area has. I've also heard the biowheel and filtration method (waterfall) screw co2 pretty badly.
In any case I'm looking for advice as far as being able to fix my current system or suggestions on what to buy for a new lighting/filtration system. I've only got about $150 USD to spend at the moment and I'm not likely to have much more in the near future. My DIY skills are extremely limited (I don't even own measuring tape), so most of it will have to be commercial (unless I can just buy some stuff and put it together easily).
I'd like to eventually add a sump as well so it would be great if suggestions allow for that possibility in the future as well. Though this is clearly not necessary, I just want some green with my fishes
I believe my tank dimensions are 12 X 24 if that helps at all.
Ideas? Suggestions?
Thanks in advance!
I have a tall 30 gallon tank with the eclipse 2 cover/filtration system (with the blue pad and biowheel). I've been trying to get plants to grow in my tank forever now and it has become a bit of a black hole.
I've got two 15W Powerglos in the lighting fixtures right now, but I've only been able to get an amazon sword and anubias to survive. While they do survive the big leafs have mostly died and the new sprouting ones don’t seem to grow at all.
I'm aware that my lighting is pretty low as far as the WPG rule goes (and I've heard tall tanks need more light to grow as effectively as long ones). I have fluorite for my substrate and 2 angels, a gourami and a tiger barb (he doesn't nip my angels yet --hopefully it stays that way! ).
I've been thinking of completely overhauling my tank to support more robust plant growth. I've looked into compact fluorescents but im not sure if they'd fit in the fixtures. I only have two pins and they (compact) all seem to have three, not to mention they take up space im not sure my lighting area has. I've also heard the biowheel and filtration method (waterfall) screw co2 pretty badly.
In any case I'm looking for advice as far as being able to fix my current system or suggestions on what to buy for a new lighting/filtration system. I've only got about $150 USD to spend at the moment and I'm not likely to have much more in the near future. My DIY skills are extremely limited (I don't even own measuring tape), so most of it will have to be commercial (unless I can just buy some stuff and put it together easily).
I'd like to eventually add a sump as well so it would be great if suggestions allow for that possibility in the future as well. Though this is clearly not necessary, I just want some green with my fishes
I believe my tank dimensions are 12 X 24 if that helps at all.
Ideas? Suggestions?
Thanks in advance!