xathine

Hey, I'm really looking into getting some plants for my new 55g.

However I fear I will not be able too.

As said I have a 55g tank, my first problem is my substrate. I'm using a dark marine sand as substrate. Would this be a problem?

My second problem is my lighting. My hood only has space for 1 48" long florescent bulb. I haven't done much research on different bulbs, but I fear I won't be able to find a bulb that will give me sufficient WPG.

Anyone have any input / advice?

aquarist48

Good morning. From what I've read on this forum, Java Moss and Java Fern are really good low light plants. I have plastic plants myself.

Nate McFin

The sand wont be an issue as long as it doesn't affect your pH. You would need to fertilize with root tabs for certain plants though as sand and gravel dont hold nutrients.
As far as the light goes. How many watts does it say on the bulb? You should be fine with the 2 plants aquarist mentioned even if the wattage is very low.
You cannot just buy another bulb to up your wattage though as you are stuck with whatever the ballast in the light can handle. LEaving the light on longer will also not work though it will encourage algae.
My sister has stock lights on a 55. (1 watt per gallon in her case) She manages to grow swords,banana plants, vals, aquatic onions,java moss and fern, horntwort,and crypts.

xathine

The wattage isn't specified on the bulb.

I bought the setup used.

xathine

I'm going to assume its only 40w.

All the 48" bulbs I've looked up have been 40w.

Nate McFin

You should be fine with Java moss and fern. With others all I can suggest is try and see. You may find you really like plants (as much as fish in my case!) and want to upgrade the lighting.
If so check these guys out. They have great prices and get very good reviews.
http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/

Fish_wise_man

40 watts is excellent for the plants that you have or that you are going to get. I have a 500 gallon tank, and 100 watts per bulb isn't even enough usually, so I am going to get new ones after these new bulbs are getting lower and lower of light.

Every time you do a water change, just after you put in the new water into your tank just add in a HANDFUL of AQUARIUM SALT, and one CAP FULL of "FLOURISH" and that's how I also keep my plants green for my tanks. Although depending on the tank size I add more or less cap fulls of flourish.

Although i am going to be putting a C02 system in my 500 gallon tank soon.

Shawnie

PLEASE do NOT suggest aquarium salt without knowing what type of fish he has...most fish will not tolerate salt like his loaches and sharks

Butterfly

Fish-wise-man-Aquarium salt isn't necessary for plants and may even kill some as well as certain fish.
carol

MissMTS

Xathine, another thing you could do, if you want to raise your WPG without buying a new fixture, is to add a 2nd 40 watt fixture to your hood. This will give you about 1.45 WPG. Of course, you need to have a glass top in order to fit them both on there. With the lighting that you currently have, Java Fern, Annubias, and Water Sprite should all grow well in your tank