Newbie to planted tank

[FishNCash]

Tank size is 36x15x15 40g. I am using a Aquatic Life 30" light with 2 bulbs and individual reflectors. The bulbs are 24w 10k spectrum. Is this too much light for a tank without CO2 and plant fertilizer? Here are some pics.

 

[FishNCash]

Bump

 

[drlower]

if im correct that fixture is t5 ho bulbs? substrate? in a word yes. t5ho on a 40breeder will definatly need ferts and co2. if you do not want to fert and co2 you should drop to at least t8 lights.

 

[m1ste2tea]

you should also spread out your anubias a bit more. you may even get away with just root tabs if you have a good layer of substrate. if you dont want to spend more money on switching to a t8 system you can unplug one of the bulbs from your t5 light.

 

[Cohazard]

should be just fine, it's the ammount of nutrients in the water that will cause problems. If you feed heavy and run into problems with algae, then drop it down to regular t5.

Are you going to tie down the anubias? They look best tied to driftwood or stones.

 

[FishNCash]

if im correct that fixture is t5 ho bulbs? substrate? in a word yes. t5ho on a 40breeder will definatly need ferts and co2. if you do not want to fert and co2 you should drop to at least t8 lights.

Yes that fixture run on HO T5 bulbs. Can I just use one t5 instead of downgrading to t8?

you should also spread out your anubias a bit more. you may even get away with just root tabs if you have a good layer of substrate. if you dont want to spend more money on switching to a t8 system you can unplug one of the bulbs from your t5 light.

I will consider substrate and root tabs if I can get a nice planted tank layout.

should be just fine, it's the ammount of nutrients in the water that will cause problems. If you feed heavy and run into problems with algae, then drop it down to regular t5.

Are you going to tie down the anubias? They look best tied to driftwood or stones.

I have a tough time trying to figure out how to tie them down. I started using twin t5 bulbs and within a week I see algae creeping on the tank floor.

 

[Cohazard]

I'll show you, it's not hard to do.

 

[Pyramid_Party]

Yes try using only one bulb. Also you can raise the fixture and it reduces intensity too.

 

[FishNCash]

Yes try using only one bulb. Also you can raise the fixture and it reduces intensity too.

The fixture is currently on 3" raiser above the tank. I didn't encounter algae problem until I added the second bulbs this week. I took out one of the bulb hoping to reduce the algae growth. If I use substrate, can I avoid using sand? Can I just use black gravels with root tabs?

does you guys think it's safe to use this coral glue to glue my plants to my rock?

http://www.marinedepot.com/E.S.V._Z...twater_Aquariums-E.S.V.-EV2185-FIMTEP-vi.html

http://www.marinedepot.com/Two_Litt...iums-Two_Little_Fishies-TL1613-FIMTEP-vi.html

 

[Pyramid_Party]

Well if you are gonna be planting rooted plants then picking a good substrate for that is important. If you just got moss and anubias it makes no difference what you use really. Yeah go back to one bulb. At that height you are getting medium light I think. I don;t know whether or not the glue is safe. But you really don't need it. If you wanna affix plants to rocks/wood just use fishing line or some cotton string, after some time they will attach themselves.