75g African Cichlid Planted tank

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
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wseguy420

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 2, 2005
15
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Ok so I have been throwing around the idea of adding to my existing cichlid tank. I plan on using 160watts of Fluorescent light and growing java moss and java fern which from myexperience should be fine. My question is, should i be using any ferts or co2? Will this cause any algae blooms or excessive algae growth. I am not going to be heavily planting this tank just using the moss and ferns as accents. Also if you have any suggestions of other plants that will tolerate this light and fish combo let me know.

Thanks
 
I know what you mean, im about to redo my 48 gallon. I already got the sand im putting in, and am going to get some rocks soon, just need time to do it, and now that schools out looks like my tank will be getting redone real soon.

I also was looking at lvie plants with my cichlids. I tried anubias, and the bastards tore it up, and dug it up. I put java fern in just to see and they haven't touched it, all i said was wow.

I have one of those flora sun strips bulbs across the top, and i added a seachem supplement for the plants once or twice a week. Ive had these plants for over a month now, all the time in low lighting and they are acutally doing pretty well.

either way, good luck and keep us posted. :thumbsup:
 
With a tank that small, and wanting undemanding plants... I would drop the wattage down to ~75-80 W. Any more and you will be facing an algae bloom. Too much lighting without enough plants, nutrients and co2 to balance each other will be perfect grounds for algae. More light will encourage growth on your plants, but without a balance there will be algae.
 
Yeah. High wattage and low light plants without proper nutrient and co2 levels can cause HUGE algae growths.
 
WyldFya,

So do you think the 160w over the 75g is enough for just java moss and java ferns or should i add some type of ferts like seachem florish?
 
the one strip light is only 30 watts and 5500k, i didnt know that was considered high wattage. and besides that there is no other lighting.
 
amesbien;629706;629706 said:
the one strip light is only 30 watts and 5500k, i didnt know that was considered high wattage. and besides that there is no other lighting.
Click to expand...
Sorry that was directed at wseguy.
 
wseguy420;629703;629703 said:
WyldFya,

So do you think the 160w over the 75g is enough for just java moss and java ferns or should i add some type of ferts like seachem florish?
Click to expand...
160W over a 75, with only java fern and java moss, is a lot of light. I would drop back to 75-80W. This lighting without co2, or ferts and fast growing plants will cause large amounts of algae growth.
 
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