Hello, so I have got my first planted tank going, and I would like some general advice. Its a 20 gallon, pretty heavily planted, with 10 little guppies enjoying themselves. My lighting situation worries me though, I have a Coralife dual fixture (2x 14 watt) and a standard aquarium light fixture (1x 14 watts) totaling 42 watts (2 watts per gallon). Is that enough for this size tank? I am injecting co2 with a DIY set-up, because I really want a VERY lush tank. So what do you guys think? And thank you in advance!
Wow, that is a cheap HO fixture. I am really considering getting a HO fixture, and that will probably be the one. People tell me that my 42 watts is good for my 20 gallon, but it just doesn't seem to be growing very well. Thanks for your response!
That lighting is fine for what you have. The DIY CO2 isn't necessary, but does help. Some fertilizers (including root tabs) will also help. If you're going for a "lush" look, as you said, consider tying/gluing anubias or moss to the driftwood.
By the way, make sure any anubias (the plants in front of the driftwood?) and java fern (behind it on the left?) don't have their rhizomes buried. They need to be above the substrate. You can tie/glue it to small rocks or pieces of slate. You may already have done this - I can't tell based on the picture.
I am using Aqueon Aquarium Plant Food. But I'm thinking that its not doing the job alone. Any recommendations? I would like to say thank you to all the guys helping me out here. This is a list of my plants:
2: Anubis
8: Cuban Ludwigia
2: Java Fern (I'm pretty sure the Rhizomes are above the substrate, thats where Im getting new leaves, right?)
8: Repens Ludwigia
1: Carpet Riccia Moss
The rhizome is the thick green part that new stems (and roots) grow out of. In most plants, this is buried, and you only see it when you remove the plant. For ferns and anubias, this needs to have water flowing around it.
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