Lighting for 29 and low light plants

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Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Jun 5, 2008
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Sorry did not know exactly where to put this.

I currently have a 29 gallon and I am planning on trading out my current standard lighting and fixture with something... Nicer. I have java moss and java fern in the tank and I want a light that will allow me to grow them out well. I have grown them under a standard fixture before but they did not really flourish. I want something that will make my fish look nice as well as allow the plants to do well. I was looking at maybe LED's but I have read LED's to grow plants are crazy expensive. I also want to know is there anything I can add to the tank to help the java fern. I don't want to dose a bunch of stuff or a big Co2 setup for the tank the same time I want them to do well.

hopefully that was not too confusing any responses?
 
I have a current-usa satellite+ led on my 125 growing amazon swords and anubis just fine. Its a full spectrum light which makes fish look great, dont buy a led with only white and blu like marineland double bright or the beamworks equivalent. I paid $180 for a 48" fixture at my lfs, probably cheaper online but reasonable so I choose to support a local small business. On my planted 36 bow (basically a 29 + the bow) I have a aquaticlife dual t5ho and has down well for swords, crypts, onion plants, tiger lotus and a few new ones I cant remember but also added co2 around the same time. This fixture was around $110 at lfs.
 
Thanks I really like the LED and the price is very reasonable. Do you have any pics of it on your tank? Do you use Co2 for that tank as well?
 
No co2 with leds. Here are a few pics of led. Thr last pic is my 36 with dual t5ho pre make over and co2. Currently that tank is in transition, growing plants an cutting and using the clippingd to fill it out

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Thank you both for the suggestion. I love both of your tanks bbortko they are stunning! However I really like the the first pics. I think I am going with the LED's. Do you use any fertilizer in that tank?
 
Right now I use flourish and excel. I have switched to dry ferts in my other tank and will switch to them in the 125 once flourish runs out. Dry ferts are much cheaper and better. I have metricide 14 which is the same as excel accept twice as concentrated and 1/4 of the cost. My stock limits my plant options so im not going to do pressurized co2.
 
i have a marineland double bright led over my 65 and it wont even grow moss on the wood lol, so +1 on not using this light... does make the fish look amazing though


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bbortko said:
Right now I use flourish and excel. I have switched to dry ferts in my other tank and will switch to them in the 125 once flourish runs out. Dry ferts are much cheaper and better. I have metricide 14 which is the same as excel accept twice as concentrated and 1/4 of the cost. My stock limits my plant options so im not going to do pressurized co2.
Click to expand...

I think I might do without teh CO2 as well. Based on what I have read I don't think I reallly need it for the plants I am trying to grow. What type of dry ferts do you use?

m8r8j said:
i have a marineland double bright led over my 65 and it wont even grow moss on the wood lol, so +1 on not using this light... does make the fish look amazing though


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Click to expand...

I am glad you said that because I was considering getting a marineland double bright for this tank.
 
I follow the estimative index thats in the sticky a beginers guide to planted tanks under the planted tank forum. I just follow the guidelines, not familiar enough to explain it too well.
 
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