valen

So far I only have plastic plants in my 10G tank but would like to add some real plants. Is there anything special I need to do with the gravel or bottom of the tank ? The gravel is standard LFS gravel that is about 1/8 to 1/4 inch in size. Is it as simple as bringing the plant home and putting its roots under the gravel or do I need some special sand or anything else ?

My Nitrates are now at 5.0 according to the API master test kit and I have 0 ammonia.

(I am dveloping brown algae however)

Also, how do you clean the tank when you have live plants ? Right now with the plastic ones I just move 'em around and vacum all the gravel. What to do when you got real plants ?

valen

Just wanted to add that my tank is near a window but it NEVER gets direct sunlight on it, only natural light that comes in.

Barbrella

You don't really NEED any special gravel for plants. Just make sure the gravel you have is deep enough (2" is good) for the plants to root successfully. You can use a liquid fertilizer like Flourish.

Light is more important. How many watts do you have? A lot of plants, theoretically, are supposed to absorb lots of nutrients, so keep algae at bay, along with keeping the tank light on for only maybe 6 - 7 hours per day.

For vacuuming, most people just lightly stir the gravel between plants and suction out any debris. You can't do the normal deep vac with plants in there.

valen

I have one incandescent 25 watt in one socket and a compact fluorescent that is 11 watts but equivalent to 50 watts and is listed as 6500 Kelvin in the other socket and says it is good for plants. The fluorescent one is way brighter than the incandescent one.

lilsoccakid

i think that is enough light for some low light plants.

for vacuming, you can just go around them, and be careful not to hit the roots.

HatchetHaven

Jake

Is the compact fluorescent you have spiral shaped, per chance?

The "equivalent to 50W" label that the bulb has on it is misleading. They're trying to say there that the bulb will light the same area as a 50W incandescent does. That doesn't mean it's more intense lighting. For aquarium use, you'd only count the 11W or whatever.

At Walmart you can go to the fish section and find their screw-in mini compact fluorescent lights. They're 10W but they're somewhat longish bulbs and not spiral, and will do a good job in a 10-20 gallon tank. I think they're around $5 each. I would replace your incandescent with one for sure, and if your other screw-in is a spiral shaped bulb, or one of those non-glass "diffused light" type bulbs, I would replace it as well.

http://www.aquajake.com/blog/hardwar...-compact-bulb/ is the one at Walmart I'm talking about, found in the fish section.

30yrfishguy

rule for proper lighting is about the same for your tank heater..about 5w per gallon slightly more on high tanks. it is proper spectrum of light that will determine your success. for a ten gallon..[2] 25 watt full spectrum daylight plant bulb will give nice results. and unless you enjoy spending money on plant food, proper substate is just as important..use flourite about 5lbs and gently mix it into your gravel a bit at a time, so you will not disturb to many helpfull bacteria on hte gravel surface

valen

Yes my compact fluorescent looks like the one in the link above. Mine is from "All-Glass" and is two u shaped tubes (link in the link above) and not a twisty. I initially found it to be blinding it was so bright. I also found the light quality to be rather "office" like i.e. cold white looking. The incandescent side has a warmer more "yellowy" kind of light.

I guess for plants the fluorescent type of light is much better than the incandescent even if the incandescent one is more visually appealing ?