Xtreme_B

I have 2 white Ribbon live plants in my 55g tank.A couple of days ago my light bulbs burned out,so I went to Walmart to buy new ones.They have just one kind and they are GE Fresh and Saltwater light bulbs.It says that they are Aqua Rays 15W bulbs and that they support the growth of freaswater plants that need high levels of light.They are a lot brighter then the bulbs that were in there before.The ends of some of the leaves are turning brown and I'm not sure if it's from the light.The plants are in little pots,so I stuck them in the gravel.Do I need to take them out of the pots?If anyone could help me with this,that would be great.Thanks in advance.

Tsunami35

Well they should be taken out of the pots, although white ribbons arent actually aquatic plants, which is probably why the leaves are dying. They will survive for awhile but eventually start to rot. I bought some gold ribbons recently then found out that they too are not aquatic.

Also, how many 15w bulbs are in your fixture? Even with 2 or 3 that still wouldnt be enough wattage for most aquatic plants.

Tio

should check at home depot for lights

Xtreme_B

Yeah I just found the plants that I have on PlantGeek and it says that they aren't Aquatic plants.Maybe that is the reason for my fish dieing.

Tsunami35

If the plants are rotting they could be producing ammonia, which could be killing your fish. Do you have a test kit?

Xtreme_B

I did a teast and Amm 0ppm,Nitrites 0ppm and Nitrates between 5 & 10ppm.I took the plants out and did a water change.I took the lights I bought in Walmart out and put the old ones back in.And the bulb worked again.They are Marineland Daylight bulbs.

Tsunami35

Your tests look good. However, if you plan to add live plants to your tank again it would be a good idea to up the wattage of you lights, meaning getting a new fixture. You want at least 1watt per gallon, but even that would be low light. For a 55 gallon tank at least 110 watts would be better.

Xtreme_B

The new bulbs that I bought are 15watts and 9325 Kelvin.It says that they are for plant that need high levels of light.The only problem I have is that my Angels hide in one corner of the tank since I put those bulbs in.So I took them back out and put the daylight bulbs in and now they swim around again.Is the light to bright for the Angels?