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 L# Planted Aquaria
  L# Wow am I confused..help PLEASE
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SubscribeWow am I confused..help PLEASE
ELT888
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Hobbyist
Posts: 50
Kudos: 10
Votes: 11
Registered: 09-Jun-2007
female usa
Ok, I have a new 75g tank. It is 48l x 21w x 20h. Of course, as with everything else I have done with this tank, I didn't do enough research beforehand, but I would love a planted tank. Right now, I have 2 Amazon swords(I think) in the tank and a few of the "blacklisted" aquariums plants that are actually soil plants(spider plants). Those will be coming out. Bought those before reasearch, obviously.
I am looking to grow low to moderate light plants (swords, anubias nanas, java fern and java moss).

Here are my questions:

Right now I have an eclipse lid with a 40 watt "Natural Sunlight" bulb in it. This came with the tank. I know this isn't what I will need for a planted tank. Do I need to get a whole new hood for the tank or can I just get a larger wattage bulb? How do you know what hood can handle what wattage? (Looking to avoid any fire hazards) From calculations I did, I will need at least 3 - 40 watt bulbs. Is this correct? If so, how do I do that? Any recommendations?

My substrate is not the best for a planted tank either. Right now I have creekstone gravel in it. Can I still have a planted tank without flourite or sand? Will plants grow in just gravel alone? Do I need to add ferts? If so, what type; liquid or tabs?

Any help and advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Post InfoPosted 09-Jul-2007 02:27Profile PM Edit Report 
keithgh
 
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*Ultimate Fish Guru*
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Registered: 26-Apr-2003
male australia au-victoria
Plants will grow in must substrates but the best is a good natural river stone 1-3mm. This gives a good and safe rooting for the plants. Sand can cause problems it can actually crush the fine roots of many plants also there can be other problems with sand.
Some plants must be grown on either wood or rocks Java Fern is one if it is planted in the substrate the roots will rot. I have found that DW is the best for the Javas.
Plants type stick to plants that are easy to grow some do require a very good lighting system.
When planting do your research on the best way to lay them out eg dont have the large plants dead center or in the front blocking out the others. Smaller plants look good in clumps. A selection of 4-5 is a good idea. I prefer to use the lighter coloured greens in the front and work towards the darker at the rear of the tank this gives depth to the tank (front to back)

Plants can and will grow with out ferts but the ferts certainly help.
Co2 can not be use if there is a lot of water movement that is the reason I have never use it.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

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Post InfoPosted 09-Jul-2007 03:02Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
catdancer
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Big Fish
Mad Scientist
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Registered: 15-Apr-2007
female usa us-massachusetts
I am afraid you will have to buy a new fixture - the Eclipse hood may not fit standard retrofit kits (you buy several parts that allow you to upgrade your old fixture to higher wattage, less expensive but work and you should feel confident to do this). You should have at least 2 WPG. The tank is fairly tall and even 'low light' plants will require this in such tank, IMHO.
There are plenty of online stores that offer retrokits as well as fully assembled fixtures, eg Drsfosterandsmith.com, marinedepot.com, webaquatics.com

Nothing is in the long run as expensive as buying cheap!
Post InfoPosted 09-Jul-2007 04:28Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
ELT888
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Hobbyist
Posts: 50
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Registered: 09-Jun-2007
female usa
Thanks Catdancer. So if I bought a new hood that holds 3 - 40 watt bulbs, would that be enough? Do they sell hoods like that? I'm just confused about the wattage I need, I guess.
Post InfoPosted 10-Jul-2007 03:06Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
catdancer
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Big Fish
Mad Scientist
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Registered: 15-Apr-2007
female usa us-massachusetts
Hi ELT:

For a tank your size in order to get to 2 WPG (watts per gallon, sorry for being not clear about the meaning of this abbreviation) you will need 150 W, your 120 W (3 x 40W bulbs) will provide you with 1.6 WPG which is very meager. It is ridiculous that these "Ready-to-Go" set ups come with such low lighting. Good for people who are not interested in plants or species that can exist under such conditions. Quite frankly, there aren't many! The plants you listed could be okay, could be, but as already mentioned, your tank is tall. This translates to higher lighting requirements.

Hope this helps - check in the stores that I mentioned if it is possible to upgrade with a retrofit kit = you install a stronger ballast and some other add ons and now your fixture allows for bulbs with a higher wattage
Post InfoPosted 10-Jul-2007 04:08Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
ELT888
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Hobbyist
Posts: 50
Kudos: 10
Votes: 11
Registered: 09-Jun-2007
female usa
Thanks Catdancer, that is clearer. I'm not sure I would trust myself to upgrade the hood I have now. I don't even know what a ballast is. (I know that's sad) I misspoke before, it's not an Eclipse, it's a Perfect-A stip light. I will check out the sites you mentioned.

Thanks for helping me with the wattage!
Post InfoPosted 11-Jul-2007 03:03Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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