Starting to think my lighting is not enough...

[Cinbos]

After doing some snooping around the forum, I came across the PAR sticky, and I am now lost and thinking that my current light is simply not enough.

I have a standard 55 gallon. I have various anubias, swords, water sprite, wisteria, lutea, micro swords, pellia, and jave moss. My lighting right now is a dual 48" shop light with 2 GE 6,500k T8 bulbs and nothing else. There are also no reflectors on the shop light. Its a black shop light that you would find at lowes or home depot.

Please et me know what needs to be changed, also not sure if this matters, but the lights are on 9-10 hours a day.

[roadmaster]

What lead's you to believe lighting is not enough? Is this low tech, or high energy tank with CO2 ?
Could maybe run dual T5 NO,or dual 24 watt T5 if lighting is raised high enough on low tech. But remember,, that increased lighting, means the need for increased CO2 and increased fertilizer.
Low to moderate light mean's less CO2 is needed and less fertilizer.
Need to know your goal's as far as growth, and desired maint.

[Cinbos]

Its a low tech setup

[Cinbos]

Originally Posted by roadmaster

What lead's you to believe lighting is not enough? Is this low tech, or high energy tank with CO2 ?
Could maybe run dual T5 NO,or dual 24 watt T5 if lighting is raised high enough on low tech. But remember,, that increased lighting, means the need for increased CO2 and increased fertilizer.
Low to moderate light mean's less CO2 is needed and less fertilizer.
Need to know your goal's as far as growth, and desired maint.

So I do have enough?

[TexasCichlid]

Are your plants growing? Do you have algae? Are you fertilizing at all?

[Cinbos]

Originally Posted by TexasCichlid

Are your plants growing? Do you have algae? Are you fertilizing at all?

Not sure in regards to growth, fairly new tank setup. I do have root tabs for heavy root feeders such as the lutea and swords. I am dosing seachem flourish comprehensive twice a week, seachem equilibrium after every water change, and there is also whatever fish bioload in the tank. I have not seen any algae either.

[roadmaster]

I would not try to increase the lighting except for duration. (If algae appear's,, decrease duration).I believe T5 bulb's will quickly make lack of CO2 apparent, Plant's falter,algae will take advantage of the inbalance, and also require more than just the flourish comprehensive.
Growth in low tech tank's is most often measured in week's, month's in my expierience.

[TexasCichlid]

Originally Posted by roadmaster

I would not try to increase the lighting except for duration. (If algae appear's,, decrease duration).I believe T5 bulb's will quickly make lack of CO2 apparent, Plant's falter,algae will take advantage of the inbalance, and also require more than just the flourish comprehensive.
Growth in low tech tank's is most often measured in week's, month's in my expierience.

I agree with this. It is important, also, for a low tech to be even more heavily planted from the beginning because of the slow growth. Get plenty of anubias and different types of java ferns. Plenty of moss. I love low tech tanks, so easy and stress free.

[Cinbos]

Originally Posted by TexasCichlid

I agree with this. It is important, also, for a low tech to be even more heavily planted from the beginning because of the slow growth. Get plenty of anubias and different types of java ferns. Plenty of moss. I love low tech tanks, so easy and stress free.

Yeah, I just increased the duration from 8 to 10 hours the other day. I am thinking about adding some more anubias. I really like the way they look. As far as java fern, at first I wa son the fence, but I think I will go ahead and get some to add and tie onto my driftwood. If there is no need for more light, then I will jst keep everything the way it is, and see how everything progresses.

Thanks everyone!

[Cinbos]

I really want to get ahold of some Anubia Petite Nana, digging the size and forground oppurtunities.

[TexasCichlid]

h4n has a lot of different anubias and java ferns. Java ferns make for great background plants in low light tanks.

[Cinbos]

Originally Posted by TexasCichlid

h4n has a lot of different anubias and java ferns. Java ferns make for great background plants in low light tanks.

Does he sale the anubias? I would definitly purchase some. There are definitly no sources for a wide range of plants around me.

[TexasCichlid]

Yes, he has most of the popular anubias species, including nana petite. The ones in my 3G I bought from him. Also has many ferns and moss species. Nana petite are very small, keep that in mind.

[Cinbos]

Originally Posted by TexasCichlid

Yes, he has most of the popular anubias species, including nana petite. The ones in my 3G I bought from him. Also has many ferns and moss species. Nana petite are very small, keep that in mind.

I would like them small, I want them for the foreground. Also, are they planted/placed the same as other anubias?

[TexasCichlid]

Originally Posted by Cinbos

I would like them small, I want them for the foreground. Also, are they planted/placed the same as other anubias?

Yep. All anubias and java ferns are rhizomes and should be treated accordingly. I simply wedged the rhizome into some crevices of my driftwood. After a couple weeks, the roots took hold. I grow a leaf once or twice a month or so.