[plusewolf]

I have a 10 gallon tank. it as gravel and I have the long tube bulb fixture by plant vitamins I mean I have this stuff called nutrafin: plant gro. it suppose to help plants grow and I have a 15w life-gro bulb.

I don't have any co2 kits for tank, would like to know if needed.
my fish are 1 dwarf gourami, 3 glofish, 1 albino Cory and 1 normal Cory, 2 mollies and 3 platys(a red wag, bumblebee and an high fin)

my plants are dieing please help

 

[plusewolf]

and before anyone say anything, I know my tanks a bit over stocked, but every ones all peacefull

 

[mscichlid]

What kind of gravel is it? How deep is it? What kind of filtration are you using? How long do you keep the light on? Post a pic. Helps to see what you're working without a lot of information being given.

 

[plusewolf]

just basic gravel and lights stay on all day and go off when every one god to bed and I have the penguin 100

 

[plusewolf]

http://plusewolf.deviantart.com/art/my-fish-tank-244895750

here's the pic and I say the gravel bout 2-3 inches

 

[plusewolf]

one thing that pic was before I upgrade my lights and tank filter

 

[mscichlid]

Oh dude . . .

One of the key componants to growing plants is to have a nutrtious substrate. Smaller sized gravel would help. A natural colored gravel would be a nice addition, as well. Your gravel is unsuitable for your corys.

Are you able to get another type of gravel? We can help you with suggestions if you're not really tied to what you have in there.

 

[Noahma]

Take a look at fertilzer tabs, you can push them into the gravel under the plants. most stem plants will take ferts out of the water, so going full on stems is not going to be a problem with the substrate you have. I would test out some plants and see what will grow, and what will not. I have been very surprised at which plants will grow in my tanks that should not. Be weary of any of the tube plants you will find at some of the big box stores, most are non aquatic and will rot if submerged. your light should allow you to grow quite a few low light plants with little problems. I would however replace the stock 10 gal hood (if you are using it) with a glass top, your able to center the light a bit better and get a better spread for the light.

 

[mistergreen]

How are you killing plastic plants?

 

[plusewolf]

right wrong with my gravel and how Is it in-suitable for my cory

 

[plusewolf]

so do I need a co2 system or what

 

[plusewolf]

so what would be a good choice of plants then for my tank

 

[mscichlid]

Corydoras have feelers called barbels that they use to find food. Most species come from areas that have silt or sand as a substrate. Big gravel and rough gravel will damage the barbels of the fish.

 

[mscichlid]

so do I need a co2 system or what

No. You don't.

 

[plusewolf]

oh... that I did not know. well is there any other kind of subtrait that as the same colors and it to be cheap. I have all ready invested over 200 into this tank

 

[plusewolf]

I mean I chose the gravel to finish to pulling together the tank. I went went bright colors since I chosse bright colored fish

 

[mscichlid]

Nothing nutritious in those colors. Sorry. The cheapest substrate is mineralized top soil. Initial costs are minimal, but will cost you in labor.

Read this: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/substrate/72382-mineralized-top-soil-substrate.html

 

[plusewolf]

question what some good beginner plants, that will grow in my tank

and another question, what if a do 50/50 mix of gravel with that soil, will that work