55 Gallon Plant Progress Report!

[Discomafia]

edit - (I think what Konrad means is) 40 watts under a 55 gallon hood works out to be around 0.7 watts per gallon, not high enough for you to have many plants. Except java moss, java fern, anubias because those kind of of plants require low lighting. So you won't be able to have medium lighting plants, and more importantly your CO2 won't be effective.

You'll need to upgrade your lighting if you want to get any plants growing I'm afraid. But you've come to the best place to start. Read around this forum and the DIY one, lot of info on making your own hood to fit a standard 55 gallon. You can also buy kits like they sell on http/ahsupply.com

HTH

 

[JoKeR]

Well today nothing new exept my Co2 throwing more bubbles I might put another one this week. Im going plant sopping tommorow maybe. And im going to home depot to get some slate.

How many watts do u reccomend?

Im getting a Light fixture for 8.00 dollars this week.

 

[JoKeR]

I was talking with someone and they suggested about 140 watts for each side. So thats a total of 280 watts for a 55 gallon tank does that sound good?

 

[Pescado Guy]

Yeah 280 watts is enough if not more than enough. You could probably get away with less but if you can do it, go for it! BTW, I can't wait to see more pics.

Kevin

 

[konrad05]

Not sure how you could get 140 watts on each side, but if you can, go for it! And thanks discomafia for elaborating...

I have 160 over my 55 and everything grows swell

 

[NickT]

the sand looks good!
how much did you need, i picked up 150 lbs and only used about 50 so far.... i think maybe 70-80 lbs wold be better for me... with 50 it seems like by the time you get all te plants planted on one side you run out of sand on the other..... im probly just stupid and didnt use enuff but i was worried about having too much.

 

[NickT]

btw your sand is alot more brownish in color than mine.. mines grey and ugly....
also i have 80watts in a 55G ATM and another 80watts if i need it.... 80 shold do it IMO my red ludwigia grows well under it and the cript wensetii , unknown crypt, hornwart, dwarf grass, unkonwn grass, banana plants, swords and the fue others i cant remember do just fine aswell. i had to go threw and prune just a small ammount yesterday and i kindof like it like that. the lower light keeps the plants growing just not like "Amano" growth.

plus if you get too much light you haveto deal with c02 witch i see your useing, but unfortunatley i dont have teh cash for C02 and for me DIY is too hard to keep under control.

 

[JoKeR]

Not sure how you could get 140 watts on each side, but if you can, go for it! And thanks discomafia for elaborating...

I have 160 over my 55 and everything grows swell

Im gonna try to get the 140 watts on ever side or just buy the 280 watts. Well im taking pics today. Even thought im very embarassed to show u all my tank while u other peeps got way better tanks.

DJ I used 100 Pounds of sand in the 55 and it looks great. What kind of sand did u buy?

Also thnkas everybody for the support and answering my questions.

 

[JoKeR]

Got one pic only of the Half The Tank

 

[JoKeR]

Plant!

 

[JoKeR]

Plant!

 

[JoKeR]

A little panda cory!

Thats all Pics!

 

[JoKeR]

Well any suggestions Ill take them all!

Im getting a little more plants on that side cause it still looks empty. Also See the red ludwiga? Its leaves keep fallin off why is that?

 

[konrad05]

I would highly recommend a piece of driftwood

And maybe some more planning in where the plants will go? get a lot more foreground (low plants). The plants look...like they're in the middle of no where. Plant a bunch of foreground and it'll look awesome

 

[JoKeR]

I would highly recommend a piece of driftwood

And maybe some more planning in where the plants will go? get a lot more foreground (low plants). The plants look...like they're in the middle of no where. Plant a bunch of foreground and it'll look awesome

Thanks for the suggestion!

What kind of Forground plants u do u reccomemnd?

Also im getting a piece of driftwood..