New setup. Please give advice.

[ewurm]

I just picked up a T5 HO setup. I want to have Anubias, Java Fern, and cryptocorynes to start. My regualr T5's weren't cutting it. I'm going from 28 to 98 watts on a 55. I dose with Iron and Potassium weekly. Thoughts?

 

[mgamer20o0]

shouldnt be a problem. what t5s did you go with? you should also be able to get away with medium light plants like swords with that.

 

[ewurm]

Nova Extreme. Cost me $80. The idiots put an actinic bulb in the Freshwater set up. Have to fix that tomorrow. Also, I can't keep swordplants because the loaches eat them.

 

[toolbox31]

That sounds like a good amount of light. I heard that you want 2 to 3 watts per gallon. Not sure how accurate that is but I think the plants you've selected are not that light demanding, should work nicely.

 

[mgamer20o0]

Nova Extreme. Cost me $80. The idiots put an actinic bulb in the Freshwater set up. Have to fix that tomorrow. Also, I can't keep swordplants because the loaches eat them.

lol its a example lol

That sounds like a good amount of light. I heard that you want 2 to 3 watts per gallon. Not sure how accurate that is but I think the plants you've selected are not that light demanding, should work nicely.

it really depends on the plants someone wants to keep and the type of lighting. the lighting he has is plenty for the plants he wants.

 

[sostoudt]

I just picked up a T5 HO setup. I want to have Anubias, Java Fern, and cryptocorynes to start. My regualr T5's weren't cutting it. I'm going from 28 to 98 watts on a 55. I dose with Iron and Potassium weekly. Thoughts?

hopefully it wont be too much light and create algae growth since they are low light plants.but advise is either monitor your nutrient ratios carefully or make sure your tanks is planted enough to eat up all the nutrients.

but yea your werent gonna grow anything really with 28 watts.

 

[ewurm]

hopefully it wont be too much light and create algae growth since they are low light plants.but advise is either monitor your nutrient ratios carefully or make sure your tanks is planted enough to eat up all the nutrients.

but yea your werent gonna grow anything really with 28 watts.

Not even really concerned about growth. Just want to keep them alive. I was failing.

 

[ewurm]

lol its a example lol

it really depends on the plants someone wants to keep and the type of lighting. the lighting he has is plenty for the plants he wants.

Got any other suggestions for that setup?

 

[mgamer20o0]

will the loaches eat the crypts? there some great tanks out there with the different kinds of java ferns anubias and crypts. needle leaf java fern for the back or sides. nana for the front broad leaf for the middle. plenty of different color crypts and shapes too.

there is always wistra which can be a floater or penny worth. both you can use in the gravel or floating. both are fast growers great for sucking up extra nitrates in the water. it really just depends on what you want the tank to look like.

Bolbitis heudelotii

 

[ewurm]

Love the Bolbitus fern. Might go that route. How about Crinum? The loaches seem to leave the Crypts alone