Lighting for Java ferns/Anubias?

I just ordered a variety of Java ferns and Anubias for my 20 gallon tall:
3 Anubias Petite
1 Anubias Golden
1 Anubias AfzeliI
1 Anubias Lanceolata
1 Anubias BarterI var BarterI
1 Java Fern
1 Java Fern Needle Leaf
1 Willow Moss

The tank has an 24" Aqueon Deluxe hood:


According to the above, it looks like I have a 18" 15w full spectrum fluorescent tube. Will this be ok for some low light plants? If not, is there a more powerful bulb I can replace it with?

Thanks for your help I find lighting to be rather confusing lol.

 

For the anubias sake, though some are low light, they still appreciate a 1wpg. Javas do great under it aswell. You can try your local hardware store, walmart and look for a 20watt Florescent tube or bulb.

 

For the anubias sake, though some are low light, they still appreciate a 1wpg. Javas do great under it aswell. You can try your local hardware store, walmart and look for a 20watt Florescent tube or bulb.

Will they tolerate higher lighting? I also have a 20 gal and was looking to get a 30-35W T8 for it...

 

Will they tolerate higher lighting? I also have a 20 gal and was looking to get a 30-35W T8 for it...

I have anubias nana and java fern growing under a a 108watt T5HO fixture, they grow smaller more compact leaves under this much light, but they still grow, so I think a higher wattage T8 should be no problem

 

Also tall tanks need a bit more light, because it has to filter down through more water.

 

Would you mind providing an example of a 20w tube? I just looked on Amazon and the ones I saw, that were higher than 15w, were also longer than 18".

 

18 Inch / 20 Watt T5 HO Bulb

Or you can use something like this

 

Thanks Wouldn't that require getting a different hood/fixture?

Is there anything I can get that will fit in the fixture I already have?

 

18 Inch / 20 Watt T5 HO Bulb

Unfortunately you cannot use a T5HO tube, or any of the other forms of lighting, in a standard fluorescent fixture. The only way to increase the lighting would be to replace the hood; and upgrade to a dual fixture or to T5HO lighting.

Moving threat to the Lighting forum.

 

yeps it would , just thought id put it out there though

 

Ok. Thanks, you two. I'll keep that in mind. Hopefully they will be ok with the 15w for at least a while, since I can't afford to buy another hood right now. Also, I'm concerned about more powerful lights heating up the tank. I've had my current light mostly off the last couple days because of the warmer weather, and the tank is still going up to 84 degrees.

 

Well I know the Java will be fine, some of the anubias aswell. Lets just wait and see how things work out?

 

Add an airstone to your tank to cause surface agitation. This will help cool your tank. Plus the adding airlines will help to keep the water fully oxygenated.

 

Add an airstone to your tank to cause surface agitation. This will help cool your tank. Plus the adding airlines will help to keep the water fully oxygenated.

Even in planted tanks? I have read that you want to keep water agitation low to keep CO2 in the water?

 

you want to keep the agitation low when you are adding co2 to the water, the water itself will only contain minute amounts of it. With plants at the surface they have a better chance of getting it from the environment.

 

Even in planted tanks? I have read that you want to keep water agitation low to keep CO2 in the water?

Yes, unless you are supplementing the carbon through DIY CO2 or injected systems.

Low light tanks do not support enough plant growth for this to be an issue.

 

Well I know the Java will be fine, some of the anubias aswell. Lets just wait and see how things work out?

I guess that's all that can be done lol. Thanks

Add an airstone to your tank to cause surface agitation. This will help cool your tank. Plus the adding airlines will help to keep the water fully oxygenated.

Thanks for the advice. I already have a Fluval U2 filter that pumps air into its output, so I don't know if an airstone that help. I'm actually switching it for an Aquaclear 50 later today, since the betta has hurt himself on it a couple times. Would the surface agitation caused by the Aquaclear be sufficient?

 

If you lower the water so there is a waterfall breaking at the surface, then maybe. But, the noise drives many crazy; and there is a potential that the downward current will be too much for your betta!

The more surface disturbance created the faster the heat dissipates.

I have problems with overheated tanks in my summer heat. Other than leaving the lights off as much as possible, I add extra airlines to keep the surface from trapping heat.

 

If I were to get something like this:

Would that help or hurt my plants? It would be 2.4wpg, but since it's high output I guess it would be more? Would I be able to have my anubias, java ferns, and willow moss along with higher light plants?

 

Well I ended up getting Hagen's Glo T5 HO Single with a 24w Glo-Life II bulb:



So, that will bring me up to 24w of high output in a 20 gallon tall. Would this be medium lighting? I also just received flourish comprehensive and excel.

Anyone? Need some input on what plants will be happy in this tank and how fert/carbon dosing works. Thanks

 

From what I was told, T5HO lighting ignores WPG guidelines.

 

Yes you are now in the low to medium lighting range. This is where you may or may not need ferts and CO2. You will need to monitor for algae and plant growth.

As for plants, there are many option now. Just stay away from high light plants.

You can grow swords, bacopa, water sprite, wisteria, crypts, java fern, mosses, aponogeton, etc. Start by researching the plants that are of interest to you.

 

Awesome!!! How exciting How can I tell if the plants need ferts or carbon?

The java ferns I got a couple weeks ago have been turning brown. I'm hoping it's an initial die-off from the bleach-dip though.

Thanks for your help