Ok, as of today I now have a 90L tank fully planted with plenty of lighting.

The plants/cuttings have been planted in to 4cm (approx) of aquarium sand and there is only 10 fish in the tank at the moment. (plants are just cuttings from TM)

So is there anything I'm doing wrong, what can I do to help the plants grow.

we need to know what sort of light and substrate, and plants.

pics would really help too.

substrate: aquarium sand

Lighting: masterpet 9w, the buld reads biax f9bx/840 and under that f9bx/spx41 and on the plastic bit 171b (I understand this may be a uv light? also the tank is near a window and for 2-3 hours a day gets sunlight.

Plants (stems): this is the list that came with them.

2 alternanthera

2 " " rubra

2 geg anter? (the hand writing is bad)

2 amplexicaulis type a

2 " " monnieria

1 cardamine lyrata

4 heteranthera zosteraefolia

5 hygrophila angustifolia

and the list goes on 1 of this 1 of that etc. (its all just alot of letters to me)

substrate: aquarium sand

Lighting: masterpet 9w, the buld reads biax f9bx/840 and under that f9bx/spx41 and on the plastic bit 171b (I understand this may be a uv light? also the tank is near a window and for 2-3 hours a day gets sunlight.

Plants (stems): this is the list that came with them.

2 alternanthera

2 " " rubra

2 geg anter? (the hand writing is bad)

2 amplexicaulis type a

2 " " monnieria

1 cardamine lyrata

4 heteranthera zosteraefolia

5 hygrophila angustifolia

and the list goes on 1 of this 1 of that etc. (its all just alot of letters to me)

Lighting is nowhere near enough to grow any plants with(9watt T8).And the color spectrum is not really suited for growing them either(40000k).

Can you add more lighting??

You want to look for tubes with the numbers 865 on them. This stands for T8(size of tube) 95 (6500k) closest to noon daylight colour,

Direct sunlight is asking for algae problems

HTH

9W?

damn

thats not enough. how high is this tank?

Ok? Thanks as I've said "I know nothing" about plants or lights but love the look.

But from what I can see the tank is very well lit, and since starting this post the stems have taken to the tank great.

(Some were droopy after postage but as of today the have all stood them selves up again

Second opinion someone as when looking at peoples photos of planted tanks my tank seems brighter?

- If anyone is interested in selling a light that is "correct for my tank" please PM me

hi phoenix44, its approx. 35cm deep.

please note: I now agree to little light

- If anyone is interested in selling a light that is "correct for my tank" please PM me

also whats a CO2 line???????? carbon dioxide right!

how do you know its 40000K simon?

_____

can you post a pic of this tank?

it will be interesting to see what is exactly going on.

what sort of light is it? (is it a long tube, or a screw in bulb.. etc etc..) perhaps take a pic of that too, lol.

here are the photos of the tank...

It is quite a deep tank, so light penetration is not great.

That light is nowhere near the size you need to grow anything other that Java fern , Java moss , Anubias and possibly some crypts.

you need to see if you can get either T8(cheaper) fitting with at least 2 X 30w tubes(this would still be regarded as low light but much better than whats there now) or even better would be some T5 fittings, although they are more costly.

HTH

here are the photos of the tank...

...and the light...

Are you guys trying to ruin my eyes?

When you use Webshots click on 'other sizes' and select 600 - this will show the larger size image inline.

The moniera and amplexicaulis are Bacopa

Have a look here (I must get around to adding more images)

http://www.fnzas.org.nz/index.php?PG=plant

Have a look here (I must get around to adding more images)

http://www.fnzas.org.nz/index.php?PG=plant

Yes

Do you still have the ones I sent a while ago?

Some of them have no picture up at all yet.

many thanks oh one with the pokey stick :lol: .

My eyes thank you.

JarrenB - I think you will need a larger light with a higher output. getting the right spectrum tube with that fitting is tricky - but if there is a knowledgeable person in your lfs, they may be able to help you find the right one.

try getting one that is the same length as your tank.

Yes

Do you still have the ones I sent a while ago?

Some of them have no picture up at all yet.

Yup, I will have a sort through soon, be warned, I am fussy when it comes to images, and don't like blurry ones, so if some of them don't make it, this may be the reason!

Did you ever work out what your crypt flower was?

Sorry Jarren, getting off topic here, but I will try and remember your crypts and Java moss on Wednesday.

http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=33897&p=413999#p413999

Hi thanks for all your input, I have got a new light for the tank (2nd hand but new to me!) and the small light is now one of my small coldwater tanks.

The light is 20w and is a 2cm longer than my tank it clearly puts out more light, I don't know if it is the perfect light but for $15 it was a deal I could not pass up!