New To Live Plants, Need Help

[styles1228]

Hey everyone,

As stated I am VERY new to live plants, and am very unsure of what I need to make it successful. I currently have a 37 gallon tank, and really am not sure what I need.

I went and bought some live plants, as well as a "Floramax 17 watt lamp", and its clearly not enough to support live plants.

My question is for a 37 gallon aquarium, what is recommended for lighting, and would CO2 be needed for a tank of that size?

Thank you!

 

[stu40]

Hi
welcome to the forum.Try reading this.
It'll get you started, and explains things better than i could.
This link will give you some ideas for which plants fall into low-tech, high-tec
Decide which approach you want to take, then ask more questions

 

[styles1228]

Thanks stu40.

As much as fast growth seems appealing to me, I think for my first planted tank, the low tech solution appeals greatly to me. Mainly due to not wanting to have to worry about the CO2.

I guess my next question would be the light fixture itself. I take it a normal light fixture won't work with the types of bulbs needed. The link provided mentions the type of tube, but my main concern is the fixture itself. I hate to sound so uninformed, but planted tanks are foreign to me. In 15 years of keeping fish, I just never cared to do planted tanks, but decided to try, and fell in love with them, and am just having issues keeping the plants alive, but love how the fish respond to the plans, plus the look in general.

I appreciate any support.

Thank you!

 

[stu40]

you'll be fine.I was in your position this time last year.Research is the key, you wouldn't believe how much i've read this year.I'm far from expert in these things but will offer opinion.

Are you US? If so, hopefully someone from over there might be able to chip in as well.

You mentioned a 17 watt bulb, is that the only one and where is it? In a hood, can you attach more? Some more info would help.

Stu

 

[Jen]

.5 wpg isn't terrible. There are definitely some low light plants that will work with that. Crypts, anubias, java fern. You won't get the reds on some of the crypts, but they will grow.

Does the fixture have the reflective back to it? That helps big time in making sure the tank gets all the light it can out of the bulb.

 

[stu40]

.5 wpg isn't terrible. There are definitely some low light plants that will work with that. Crypts, anubias, java fern. You won't get the reds on some of the crypts, but they will grow.

Does the fixture have the reflective back to it? That helps big time in making sure the tank gets all the light it can out of the bulb.

True, and at least you won't have to worry about CO2

 

[styles1228]

you'll be fine.I was in your position this time last year.Research is the key, you wouldn't believe how much i've read this year.I'm far from expert in these things but will offer opinion.

Are you US? If so, hopefully someone from over there might be able to chip in as well.

You mentioned a 17 watt bulb, is that the only one and where is it? In a hood, can you attach more? Some more info would help.

Stu

I am in the US yes.

Right now, it is in the hood yes, but its the only one I can attach, which is why I am fairly certain I need a different light fixture. Unfortunately this one, I can see just isn't enough to support the plants currently.

What's odd is that they have new growth, but the new growth starts to get transparent almost right away, so they are healthy and growing, but not really looking all that great.

Ya research is the way to go, even if it was never my strong suit haha....

.5 wpg isn't terrible. There are definitely some low light plants that will work with that. Crypts, anubias, java fern. You won't get the reds on some of the crypts, but they will grow.

Does the fixture have the reflective back to it? That helps big time in making sure the tank gets all the light it can out of the bulb.

No, it doesn't have a reflective back, I mean technically white is reflective, but its not a mirror back, so it could def be better.

Having read that link that stu provided, I have an idea of the bulbs I would need to be "low tech" but am just really not sure as to the fixture, and whether or not, it should be a double tube system, or single.

 

[Jen]

So you currently have bulbs, but no fixture? In that case, all you need is a fixture that will hold a 2 foot t8. If you go to a fish store, they will be able to point out the best ones. A lot of the plant ones out there do hold more than one bulb, and can get quite pricey. If you can find one that will hold 2 of your bulbs, you'd be up to 1 wpg, and your plant options would be increased, while still not being necessary to go to CO2. If you get too much light on there, you will start getting algae at a rate your slow growing plants can't fight it off without lots of fertilizer and co2.

This Light would give you 1.6 wpg... could be pushing it in my opinion. It's T5, not T8 bulbs, but just to give you an idea of what to look for. It says saltwater, but that just refers to the colour of the bulb... you should be able to swap that out in store. If you have this pet store near you (Big Al's Aquarium Services), I highly recommend it. It's a chain, but independently owned, and in my experience of the 3 around me, the fish room is staffed with people who really know fish. Not just someone who has to rotate through; they are a dedicated staff. I have 2 guys that I deal with, and they remember me and what I have going on.

Do remember when you start this that it is trial and error for a while for most of us. It takes a while to learn what works in your tank. I've been keeping plants for almost 10 years now, and I'm still learning

 

[styles1228]

So you currently have bulbs, but no fixture? In that case, all you need is a fixture that will hold a 2 foot t8. If you go to a fish store, they will be able to point out the best ones. A lot of the plant ones out there do hold more than one bulb, and can get quite pricey. If you can find one that will hold 2 of your bulbs, you'd be up to 1 wpg, and your plant options would be increased, while still not being necessary to go to CO2. If you get too much light on there, you will start getting algae at a rate your slow growing plants can't fight it off without lots of fertilizer and co2.

This Light would give you 1.6 wpg... could be pushing it in my opinion. It's T5, not T8 bulbs, but just to give you an idea of what to look for. It says saltwater, but that just refers to the colour of the bulb... you should be able to swap that out in store. If you have this pet store near you (Big Al's Aquarium Services), I highly recommend it. It's a chain, but independently owned, and in my experience of the 3 around me, the fish room is staffed with people who really know fish. Not just someone who has to rotate through; they are a dedicated staff. I have 2 guys that I deal with, and they remember me and what I have going on.

Do remember when you start this that it is trial and error for a while for most of us. It takes a while to learn what works in your tank. I've been keeping plants for almost 10 years now, and I'm still learning

Well I have the fixture, but its a simple 1 tube fixture, and just is not enough for live plants as I have learned. I currently have a 24in T8 by aqueon for plants, but its basically doing nothing, which is why I have learned I need a more powerful set up.

Unfortunately I have no BigAls near me, though I buy from them online, since I really do love them.

So, and this might sound like a stupid question, but when I read 1w per gallon, is that per bulb, or total? So if its a dual light fixture, as the one you pointed out, and a few others I have looked up, is that saying the total output should be 1-1.5w per gallon, or each individual bulb? When using light fixtures that sit above the tank rather then on the glass lid, is it recommend to remove the glass lid, or does it not matter?

Now, I swear the last question. In terms of the bulbs, they don't need to be "special" bulbs for plants right. As long as its a T5, with the correct wpg, it should still be fine? So, if I wanted to use a 24w white lamp, or a blue one, etc... That should be fine, just keep an eye on the wpg, and K? Or should it be recommended to use the combinations they recommend aka a plant growth, and a white one?

I do appreciate the support. Ever since I experimented a month ago or so, I have been wanting a live plant tank so bad, so I am highly excited to get this all underway.

 

[stu40]

NIce post from Jen, i was hoping for someone on your side to suggest hardware places/stores as i only know UK.

The WPG rule is a guideline, but it helps when you're getting started.In my opinion aiming for 1-1.5WPG T8 would be good place to start (the lower number if T5).

As pointed out, it's trial & error for most of us till you get used to your tank.

If your tank is 37Gal then you need 37-55W total be it from 1 bulb or 2.(reflectors will around 50% extra wattage to the number on the bulb i'm told)

You don't need to remove a glass lid (though a dirty one will block light out)

Personally i don't use 'aquarium' branded bulbs.They made by Phillips & Osram.

6500k is around daylight.Higher K numbers appear blue.Lower appear red.I use one 6500K & one 4000K.That personal choice on the colours it produces.

This is my opinion,Jen has got a lot more experience than me.I've only been addicted for a year

 

[styles1228]

NIce post from Jen, i was hoping for someone on your side to suggest hardware places/stores as i only know UK.

The WPG rule is a guideline, but it helps when you're getting started.In my opinion aiming for 1-1.5WPG T8 would be good place to start (the lower number if T5).

As pointed out, it's trial & error for most of us till you get used to your tank.

If your tank is 37Gal then you need 37-55W total be it from 1 bulb or 2.(reflectors will around 50% extra wattage to the number on the bulb i'm told)

You don't need to remove a glass lid (though a dirty one will block light out)

Personally i don't use 'aquarium' branded bulbs.They made by Phillips & Osram.

6500k is around daylight.Higher K numbers appear blue.Lower appear red.I use one 6500K & one 4000K.That personal choice on the colours it produces.

This is my opinion,Jen has got a lot more experience than me.I've only been addicted for a year

Thanks to both of you, you really have been very helpful, and I sincerely appreciate the assistance.

I have gone ahead, and made my purchases, and will make my plant purchases after the light is set up and running.

My last question is about the CO2. I know by me using the lower wpg, I shouldn't need any CO2, but how will I know if it is needed? If I see Algae start to build up, is that an indication I will need CO2?

Again, thank you both very much!

 

[Jen]

Get your plants in there as soon as you have light. If you don't you are asking for algae to start growing, since there will be nothing else to take advantage of it. When I up my lights, I buy a cheap and fast grower (normally Hygro Polysperma) until I can find what I really want. Something that is going to take off easily, and I don't feel bad about throwing out once I'm done with it.

On my big old tank, I had 2.5 wpg, and was only dosing liquid fertilizer, no co2. I noticed that while plants were growing, they weren't getting as full and lush as I was expecting. They weren't filling out like they should, weren't getting the colour I was expecting. As silly as it sounds... they looked hungry. I didn't really find I was getting excess algae, I think it was more water chemistry out of whack.. really low nitrites all the time. It was a long time ago though so I could be wrong.

You can always dose liquid co2 (Flourish Excel) if you think you might start needing it, or go the DIY route.

 

[Yvonne465]

This is all very interesting to me as I had 3 WPG and was told that this was medium to low light. I'm in the US and have had aquariums for the last 17 years. My experience has taught me to buy hardy plants to start. I have used Flourish Excel and found it to work quite well. Obviously Co2 is the way to go for the best outcome but it can get very costly.

 

[styles1228]

With the plants, when some of them arrive, they tend to come with those weights. I hope I am making sense, but those lead weights, that also help keep them together in their bunches. Is it wise to remove those, or are they fish friendly, and it doesn't matter?

Thanks again!

 

[Jen]

They are fish safe, however, keeping them on doeesnt always do the plants any good. The do help to keep them in the substrate, but it's better to take them off and plant each stem your gravel or sand. It helps to sometimes make it look like you have twice as many plants since it's not one big clump, and also allows the light to get through to all the leaves, not just the ones on the outside of the bunch. You will get stems floating up to the surface every now and then until they root themselves in, but it doesn't take too long, and you just pop them back in until that happens.