Seachem has recommended dosing guidelines. Many choose to start with Flourish and move on to bulk ferts due to price. There's nothing wrong with Fluorish, and that's actually what I use at the moment, but using bulk dry ferts is much cheaper. I'll be using the Estimative Index method which may be covered in the FAQ here. If not, a google search will give you more info.
lighting and hood question
- Thread starter oOMO3NOo
- Start date
ok cool that helps alot thank you very much now with the plants i have listed in a my previous posts like java fern for mid ground and for forground some type of nana or maybe micro swords (i have heard different things about miroswords one that its low light the other that its mid to high) so not sure aobut them. then back ground plants do some type of anubias. which i think are mostly all low light plants. would it be better to just a 6700k light that fits in the normal light fixture that is sold with most tanks (has two prongs on each side) or a 55w kit from the ah supply place listed in the second post? im still doing as much research as i can but its still really confusing specially because so many thing contredict. thanks again
Well the normal lights that come with the tank probably wouldn't be enough to grow many types of plants. I think standard T8 bulb for that size is 18watts no matter color spectrum. I would aim for about 2 watts per gallon on your tank then you would have no problem with the plants you listed. Little under wouldn't hurt either, but anything over that you start to need co2 AND ferts.
As for the AH link it seems like more work than I would want to put into my lights. I would go with something like either one of these.
T5HO
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/236415/product.web
or if you like the compact fluorescent
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+9871&pcatid=9871
If you have a good LFS by you they should carry both kinds.
As for the AH link it seems like more work than I would want to put into my lights. I would go with something like either one of these.
T5HO
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/236415/product.web
or if you like the compact fluorescent
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+9871&pcatid=9871
If you have a good LFS by you they should carry both kinds.
hey thanks thats way easier and much cheaper then i thought (way way cheaper then LFS) it would be i think ill go with the CF one to get a little more watts because its on a tall tank i think ill pick that up soon and some of both types of flourish and see how it goes
would u recomend doing anything to my substrate before i plant it (pool filter sand)?
would u recomend doing anything to my substrate before i plant it (pool filter sand)?
Well unfortunately pool filter sand isn't the best for plants that are heavy root feeders, but anubias and the java fern should be fine. Not so sure about the micro sword. If you can get something else flourite, eco complete, onyx sand and others are much better although they are expensive. I know friends that have used Soilmaster Select Charcoal colored substrate, Turface or Shultz Aquatic Plant Soil. These usually are alot cheaper like 10-20 for a 50lb bag where as the other ones I mentioned might be closer to 25 for a 25lb bag.
If you don't/won't/can't change substrate at least get some of the Flourish Tabs. My tank does really well using sand and the fert tabs. Even with swords.
Make sure you get the freshwater fixture if you order it, that way it comes with a 6700k bulb instead of the actinic ones.
If you don't/won't/can't change substrate at least get some of the Flourish Tabs. My tank does really well using sand and the fert tabs. Even with swords.
Make sure you get the freshwater fixture if you order it, that way it comes with a 6700k bulb instead of the actinic ones.
Having a plant specific substrate provides nutrients to the plants that you would otherwise have to add to the water. It also helps keep those nutrients available mainly to the plants since they absorb the nutrients through the roots.
Going with low light plants I don't think you will really have a problem. You would still would want to add the fert tabs if you have root feeders just to be safe.
The only problem I would see is that if you want to go higher light or heavily planted in the future it would help considerably to have an actual plant soil.
Going with low light plants I don't think you will really have a problem. You would still would want to add the fert tabs if you have root feeders just to be safe.
The only problem I would see is that if you want to go higher light or heavily planted in the future it would help considerably to have an actual plant soil.
