jncme // rites of flourish

[jncme]

Hey all, been lurking around and decided to post my tank, plus I had a question about lighting. I plan on getting a desk lamp because I have read HC does better with higher light and wanted advice on which type of bulb to get?

This is my 1st tank and started about 7 months ago.
Heres a few iphone pics showing the progression

Fluval chi
Fluval plant stratum
Seachem prime + [s]flourish [/s]+ excel
DIY CO2 (removed)
26w 6500k Finnex

Java moss - Feb. 2012
Hemianthus Callitrichoides - 7 June 2012
Marsilea quadrifolia - 21 June 2012
Hair Grass- 13 July 2012

pH 6.8
ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 5ppm

Current state:


previous state




fake plants, barf
Java moss and DIY CO2

3 month comparison

Betta

plant stratum


HC and started using flourish // current state

[fishoutawater]

Looks so much better! Those plastic plants were a nightmare. Great job.

[jncme]

Thanks fishoutawater

no advice on light bulbs for plants?

[ClPat]

Hey! Nice start! Does the HC grow well with this lighting? Also, is that lucky bamboo? If so, it is probably eventually gonna rot, as it isn't adapted to long term submersion

[fishoutawater]

Are you trying to get coverage quicker? Because in my opinion your pics are a testament that you are doing everything everything right. Don't rush it IMO.

[jncme]

@ClPat thanks, HC is doing well so far, it has only been in for 5 days, some leaves are yellowing, most likely due to emerse to submerse adaption. That random plant is just a plant my wife got from petsmart, so no it isn't bamboo.

@fishoutawater I don't mind if the HC grows fast or not, just read that they like high lighting and the chi doesn't have that. I just wanted extra light since it has been less then a week and not sure if I currently have enough wpg.

Some pics with the D700 // HC 5 days

[fishoutawater]

Check this thread. Looks like most have good luck with low light plants. I wish there were more people out there planting these tanks to give you some feedback on how far you can push your limits plant/lighting wise.

[wrangler]

I'm not 100% sure but I think the big leaved green plant is a terrestrial plant. Those pet stores are famous for selling plants as aquatic, when they are not!

[jncme]

@wrangler Yea i heard that before, but what ever it is it has been doing good under water for about 6 months now.

[jointbeaker]

Not a lot of people have Chi's here on TPT. Looks like you have a decent looking start. Cheers.

Here's mine:

[jncme]

@jointbreaker, thanks man, hopefully it grows nicely. What kind of bulb are you using there?

[s thomas]

Originally Posted by jointbeaker

Not a lot of people have Chi's here on TPT. Looks like you have a decent looking start. Cheers.

Good work on both of you, agreed you don't see many of these here, prob cause everybody is a high light addict (guilty), but these both came together really well.

@ jncme: I'm really interested to watch how your HC does in the tank with the Co2, I often wonder if people get it backward with too much light.

I have a chi from before I "knew better" about lighting and nano tanks and this thing has been growing awesome- wisteria getting trimmed weekly and everything else flourishing.

I'll throw up a pic cause mine looks dumpy in comparison- it will give me something to work towards


Cheers!

[jointbeaker]

Originally Posted by jncme

@jointbreaker, thanks man, hopefully it grows nicely. What kind of bulb are you using there?

compact spiral CFL from Menards, and a cheap worklight fixture...

I've got my tank below a kitchen cabinet sort of...so I'm able to hang that cheap light from the top cabinet with a piece of J channel. It looks pretty decent, and it was very cheap.

[jncme]

Rescaping the tank, got to much hair algae on last setup. Suggestions welcomed

[craigofva]

what is the little plants u got growing on the floor in the black tank?