FishProfiles.com Message Forums

I have an all-in-one tank with lights included in the hood. The tank is 15gal. I have anubias, banana lily, java moss and another plant I don't know the name of.

My plants are growing quite slowly even with fert tabs that I have used for a little while now, and I have decided it could be my lighting. There is a fair bit of driftwood in the tank which could be obscuring some of the light too, so I may need to re-aquascape too.

Could someone recommend the type and wattage of lights that I should invest in for this size tank with these plants?

Thanks!


[span class="edited"][Edited by 2004-08-29 21:50][/span]

I just found my other plant (incase you were all wondering ) and it's a crypt....

Hi,

I don't think the growth rate of your plants has anuthing to do with light. You haven't posted how many watts you have, but guessing less then 1 watts per gallon.The plants you have listed are low light SLOW growing plants. I doubt the fert tabs would make the slightest difference.The great thing about these plants is they are low maintenance and very easy to keep, they don't need much additional nutrient because of the fact they grow so slowly. The crypts are heavy root feeder so they may get some benefit but it's not really neccessary.

If you intend to keep these plants only then I don't think an additional light would help much, just have to be patient.
If you want faster growing or different plants then you will definately need more light.
You also didn't post what type of bulb you are using, you may to be able to improve with a more suitable bulb.

Basically if you can get 30 watts of flourescent or power compact lighting, with "daylight" (6700k) bulbs you will be set for most plants you want to try.

---

Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Thank you very much for responding, bensaf.

No, the lights just came with the tank and I am not at home so I can't check for you what type they are, sorry. The tank is a high one too, so this may have something to do with it.

I didn't realise all the plants I had were slow growers.... thanks for pointing this out! They are just the ones I have left after several unsuccessful plantings which made me come to the conclusion of lighting.

Thanks for the info about the ferts, I would prefer not to add anything and if it's not necessary, I definitely will stop that. I do want to try other plants sometime, so I will invest in some stronger lighting.

Thankyou! I will take that kelvin and wattage information to the store with me next time

No probs, Charlotte, glad to help.

They are just the ones I have left after several unsuccessful plantings which made me come to the conclusion of lighting.

.

Exactly, the ones that survived are easy and un-demanding
Anubias are almost indestructible.

Actually 15gals is quite small and most light loving plants would pretty quickly outgrow it or at least require constant trimming.One advantage of a tank that size is that it would be relativly easy to do a really nice display with just low light "easy" plants.

Anubias come in different shapes and sizes from very small to very large. Crypts also come in different colors and can form large lush groves given time. Java Fern (which would also work in your tank) has a few varieties with different leaf shapes (Lace or Wendelov Fern).You said you had a lot of driftwood, well Anubias, Fern and Java Moss all do great tied onto driftwood so you can make even small plants look tall.

And the great thing about these is that need very little maintenance so it's easy to keep your display looking good.

With a tank that size that's the way I'd go, at least til I proved that worked then I'd move on to more difficult plants.

Really all you'd need to do is check your bulb ( most complete set ups have a bulb designed to show the fish but useless for plants) and possibly change to a more suitable one , a few dollars at most. After that all you need is your imagination, creativity and patience and you're good to go !You can have a really nice tank that will pretty much take care of itself.

By the time you have that finished you'll be ready for the fancy plants and high tech set ups and believe me you will kill for a bigger tank to put them in. It's an addiction

---

Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.