General Questions- 29 Gallon

Hello! I have a 29 gallon I started up a couple weeks ago and I have neon tetras (6) and a bristlenose pleco. I have the temperature at 80°. Is this an ok temp? I want to add 1 angelfish in the future, and 2 Bolivian rams. Are they all compatible? Also- I would maybe want to add Oto catfish. I currently have somewhat of a problem with algae (pictures above) what can I do to reduce it? Also my hair grass isn’t doing too well- I planted it a week ago and it hasn’t grown at all. I am using eco complete and I have the lights that came with the tank (regular white LEDs) and I don’t know if those are good enough. Can someone recommend me a good light for a 29 gallon (preferably amazon)? Also what hood would I get then if I get rid of the LEDs I have now? Thank you!! Sorry if these are a lot of questions but I would REALLY appreciate if anyone could answer all of them?

 

Too high for the neon tetras. IMO the tank is too small for angelfish.

 

I hear kovals are good; you can find those on chewy. Other than that there's the beamswork lights, or, if you want to be a bit spendy, I hear fluval lights are good. I'd have someone say which ones are good, though.

Do you use any ferts? That could explain why your grass isn't growing as well.

 

I would lower the temp to at least 74 and get a Bolivian Ram not an angelfish!

 

I have these lights on all our aquariums including the planted 29 QT. Great light, great site.


I can post photos of the results with my plants if you like.

Hair grass needs bright light, ferts and does best with Co2 injection.

 

On my own 29 gallon at home, I am using 2 shop lights I got from Home Depot, each one about $15. Super bright and growing plants easily. The tank happens to have hair grass and it’s doing great. These lights were a stop gap until we move but I’ve been pleasantly surprised. I eventually will upgrade my lights when I upgrade my tank. This could be an option if you don’t want to jump into the more expensive lighting.

Your currently lighting probably isn’t sufficient for your plants, however it’s enough for algae to grow. Is the tank located near a window or getting too much sunlight? This can contribute to algae growth. The plants are deficient in some mineral giving the algae a chance to take hold. Being a newer tank too favors algal growth.

 

Angels in a 29 gallon is subjective. In a community, its discouraged as they get quite large. Alone or a lone pair should be okay, though most people wouldn't find that appealing.

They are also incompatible with Neons due to temperature preferences and size, wherein the angel will eventually become large enough to eat the Neons.

Bolivian Rams and Neons are temperature compatible. Both would prefer a lower temperature, I'd say 75F.

Good light units on a budget:
-Beamswork DA FSPEC
-https://
-CFD light fixtures, preferably with reflectors
-Finnex stingray
-Finnex Fugeray Planted Plus