Difficult Plants

1381 Views 9 Replies 5 Participants Last post by fishscale, Jul 22, 2007

fishscale

Discussion Starter · Jul 21, 2007

I am interested in growing several plants that are supposed to be pretty hard to grow. I am wondering if they are really as hard to grow as people say, or if it can be done given my equipment. I (plan to) have:

55 gallon tank
Emperor 400 Filter (probably with bio-wheels removed)
DIY CO2
220W of light (planning on doing a DIY fixture using AH Supply 55W retrofit kits)
SMS Charcoal with whatever is left of my eco-complete

Using the above, is it possible to grow Blyxa Japonica, Glosso (as patches in a carpet), Downoi, and HM (as a carpet)?

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hooha

· #2 · Jul 21, 2007

with 220w of light you should be able to grow those plants without difficulty.

That being said, you need a consistent fert program and consistent CO2, you may want to consider pressurized CO2 if you're going to go with that much lighting.

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bigstick120

· #3 · Jul 21, 2007

I have grown all of those in a 55 with half as much light, and a few "harder" to grow, I also have pressurized CO2 so Im sure that helps.

I agree with hooha, you really should go pressurized with that much light over a 55. 110 watss is plenty

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fishscale

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 21, 2007

How much would you say a decent pressurized system would cost? I'm not broke yet...but I'd like to keep it that way.

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hooha

· #5 · Jul 21, 2007

Assuming you will not use a controller....

Regulator $100
Tubing $5
5lb CO2 tank $60-80 (get one locally that you can "swap" for refills)
diffusor (glass) $5-10
drop checker - $10 (or make your own)

Or...increase your DiY CO2 - over 2-3 years you'll spend that much anyway on yeast and sugar (and time...and potentially lost plants and frustration with algae issues).

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Wö£fëñxXx

· #6 · Jul 21, 2007

Adding to Hooha and Bigsticks wise advice that the DIY C02 will be your downfall with that much light, you will also need a better filter with good media.

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fishscale

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 21, 2007

Hmmm...I don't think I have the money for all that right now. Should I change my light plans to match my CO2?

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bigstick120

· #8 · Jul 21, 2007

I personally would wait until I had the $ to do it right and how you want it. When half ass it you end up spending the $ later any way.

Add also to Craig, your HOB filter will out gas your already unstable CO2 as well.

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Nightshop

· #9 · Jul 21, 2007

Like Bigstick said, doing it right the first time is a much better choice than rushing everything. Save your money for the better equipment, it's worth it!

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fishscale

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jul 22, 2007

I have the money, I just don't want to spend a lot

I've been getting most of my stuff second hand and it's been unimaginabley cheaper, but CO2 equipment is not really readily found second hand.

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