What would be a bare minimum for a 29 gallon? Basically I just want to be able to grow some easy plants like C. Wendtii and maybe some Amazon swords etc. I'd prefer no C02 and I don't want to be fertilizing. What would be good lighting and substrate to achieve this? Thx
A double T8 fixture with decent reflectors, fitted with 5000-10,000K tubes should provide plenty of light. I grow cryptocorynes and Amazon swords amongst other easy plants with single T8 6500K tubes with half decent reflectors, and double T8 6500K tubes with no reflectors, in tanks with generic quarts gravel and no CO2. Get a double fixture with decent reflectors and you'll be a step ahead of me.
I would recommend some sort of fertilizer, it does make a difference; yellow sickly growth vs green healthy growth. I've been using API Leaf Zone which isn't expensive. You might consider a one-off application of root tabs to keep things really simple.
I guess if you get good substrate you can do away with fertilizers completely, or try Excel as jcardona suggested.
If you want to do things cheaply, I think it comes down to the initial cost of substrate vs the ongoing cost of fertilization. But decent plant-growing substrate has the advantage of not requiring you to dose fertilizers regularly.
I would recommend some sort of fertilizer, it does make a difference; yellow sickly growth vs green healthy growth. I've been using API Leaf Zone which isn't expensive. You might consider a one-off application of root tabs to keep things really simple...
Liquid Ferts are soooo cheap! API leafzone is one of those super cheap ones... and it sure works well! If you can afford the water changes on a 29g tank, you can afford a cheap liquid fertilizer. Its cheaper than Dechlorinater by a long shot. I don't even reccomend using plants (other than moss balls) without at least using a liquid fert.
So today I grab a T5HO bulb but little do I know its requires a fixture for this type of bulb. Damn, guess I gotta take it back. I have just your standard light/hood that comes with aquarium sets. So what kind of bulbs can I run on these? I have no idea what kind of bulb is on it now, its a stock bulb. What kind of bulbs can I use on this? Could I use a T8 bulb, would it be good for plants? Its only a single fixture too for 1 bulb. I just want to be able to get into the low light category. Thanks guys, and if you can tell me what wattage and kelvin rating would be good too. Thanks
