Are these new plants that you just got? It takes a little time for them to settle in and start growing. At least from my limited experience.
20 gallon long should be growing, but isn't.
Two weeks ago I set up an old 20 long that was laying around, and despite my best efforts, things just don't seem to be making progress. Substrate is organic miracle grow capped with generic petco sand. Lighting is from six 13w home depot 6500k cfl bulbs (clamped on for now), and a DIY CO2 using champagne yeast, fed through a sponge filter until my glass/ceramic disc diffuser arrives. There's a near constant stream of small bubble coming from the top of the sponge, but I suppose its possible they don't have enough time to dissolve.
Species planted include Echinodorus tenellus, Lilaeopsis novae-zelandiae, what petco sells as an "Argentine sword", an Anubias nana, Hygrophilia difformis, and what I think is Bacopa monnieri.
Am I missing something here?
Species planted include Echinodorus tenellus, Lilaeopsis novae-zelandiae, what petco sells as an "Argentine sword", an Anubias nana, Hygrophilia difformis, and what I think is Bacopa monnieri.
Am I missing something here?
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What Mamabear said and immersed plants take time to adapt to submersion. Many of them will completely melt and then grow anew. Petco/Petsmart plants take more time on average than plants you buy in TPT classifieds that come from a submerged environment.Two weeks ago I set up an old 20 long that was laying around, and despite my best efforts, things just don't seem to be making progress. Substrate is organic miracle grow capped with generic petco sand. Lighting is from six 13w home depot 6500k cfl bulbs (clamped on for now), and a DIY CO2 using champagne yeast, fed through a sponge filter until my glass/ceramic disc diffuser arrives. There's a near constant stream of small bubble coming from the top of the sponge, but I suppose its possible they don't have enough time to dissolve.
Species planted include Echinodorus tenellus, Lilaeopsis novae-zelandiae, what petco sells as an "Argentine sword", an Anubias nana, Hygrophilia difformis, and what I think is Bacopa monnieri.
Am I missing something here?
I purchased some clearance Pogostegmon Helferi from Petco and it took 2 weeks to totally melt and another 2 weeks to get to the 15-20 stems I have now. price was right and I enjoy seeing the progress.
What Mamabear said and immersed plants take time to adapt to submersion. Many of them will completely melt and then grow anew. Petco/Petsmart plants take more time on average than plants you buy in TPT classifieds that come for a submerged environment.
I purchased some clearance Pogostegmon Helferi from Petco and it took 2 weeks to totally melt and another 2 weeks to get to the 15-20 stems I have now. price was right and I enjoy seeing the progress.
Yep!
I got some plants from petco/petsmart and they were pretty sad fellows. I even got the fish guy to give me a discount on some java fern that looked like it was on it's last leg. Took about a month but that thing is THRIVING now.
The plants I got from other users here have pretty much thrived from the get go.
I agree not enough time has gone by. The plants need more time to root ect. You probably need to invest in a drop checker, so you can figured out how much co2 is in the water.
Thanks for the reassurance. The CO2 reactor is creating about one bubble every 2-3 seconds.
Do you have algae issues?
Sent from my Nexus 5
Sent from my Nexus 5
Wow .. 6 - 13watt clamp-ons sure does seem like a lot of light. I only had 2 -10 inch diameter 13 watt clamp-on type lights hanging about 6-8" above my 20 long and figured I was low-medium light. The 10" fixtures do spread the light better & seem to give better light (higher PAR). My low light plants grew really good but my one higher light Amazon Sword didn't really do much but it was getting shaded some and wasn't centered under the fixture. But that was with only 2 -13 watt bulbs.
You didn't mention in your post but are you dosing any ferts? I'm not sure if you need them with the dirt substrate but with that much light you might.
You didn't mention in your post but are you dosing any ferts? I'm not sure if you need them with the dirt substrate but with that much light you might.
I went with the smaller diameter fixtures because I figured I'd get more light on them. six 13w bulbs puts me at 3.9wpg. I had some ferts left over from my 20 standard, so i've been using them, but that won't continue past this weekend. So far I haven't had any algae issues, but i'm keeping a close eye. I'll be making a raised fixture for the lights, as part of my plan is for growth to continue up and out.
Actually I was in error when I said I used 2 - 10.5" clamp-ons .... they were only 8.5" ones. It's even possible I had 23 watt bulbs in those fixtures since they were hanging pretty high .. maybe 18-20" above substrate. I moved my 20 long a month or so ago when I got a used 75 gal. so I'm having trouble remembering how I had it setup .. old age sucks. LOL
I have the 20 long in a different spot now. Still have the 2 - 8.5" fixtures but definitely have 13 watt bulbs in them now. I measured it today & they are hanging about 15" above the substrate. Lower than I had them before because I added some floaters to the tank to grow out quickly. My higher light Sword plant is starting to color up so the PAR is higher than it was in the other spot. I'll have to watch it to make sure it's not too much light now. Trying to find that happy medium where I can get the highest low-medium light I can without getting algae or using pressurized CO2.
Since you're using DIY CO2 that will definitely help your situation.
I have the 20 long in a different spot now. Still have the 2 - 8.5" fixtures but definitely have 13 watt bulbs in them now. I measured it today & they are hanging about 15" above the substrate. Lower than I had them before because I added some floaters to the tank to grow out quickly. My higher light Sword plant is starting to color up so the PAR is higher than it was in the other spot. I'll have to watch it to make sure it's not too much light now. Trying to find that happy medium where I can get the highest low-medium light I can without getting algae or using pressurized CO2.
Since you're using DIY CO2 that will definitely help your situation.
Update: As I probably should have realized with the lighting I have, there's an algae problem now. I was considering draining the tank down and doing a mostly dry start, while leaving a couple inches of water for the feeders to cycle the tank, while helping to control the algae. Has anyone tried this before?
Also, forgive me for being stupid, but where on here to people buy/sell things? I can't seem to find it.
For Sale/Trade is here: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=153
WTB (want to buy)/RAOK (random act of kindness) forum is here: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=156
Make sure you're logged in otherwise I don't think you can see them. Also, I don't think they are viewable when using TapATalk.
WTB (want to buy)/RAOK (random act of kindness) forum is here: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=156
Make sure you're logged in otherwise I don't think you can see them. Also, I don't think they are viewable when using TapATalk.
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
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