New to planted tank. Help me out guys:)

[meowmyshrimps]

Hi guys, I'm new to planted tanks. Just started a 1ft tank and managed to diy co2 system yesterday on first try.Today woke up and saw alot of bubbles from the diffuser

Im currently using cheap 4W Led clip on lights for my tank. After doing some reading, somehow im still not convinced that the light is strong enough for my current setup consisting of anubias,java ferns and jap hairgrass which i plan to turn it into a lawn.

My questions are..is the light strong enough for jap hairgrass? Considering the W/G factor?
If no, how much would T5 lights cost?

Kindly need experts to help me out.thanks guys!

[AQMS]

For your anubias and java fern it shouldn't be a problem,these are low lights requirement plants.
As for your jap hairgrass, it depend on your tank height or the distance between the led light to the bottom of the tank.
Post some pics for us to see.

[RoyKoh]

Hi, from what i learn. WPG cant apply on LED lighting. I believe lumen and the PAR reading is more of the factor for LED. Correct me if i am wrong.

[David]

While it is good that you are concern about lightings, it may be also good that you attend to the water values first. Plants in general do well at least with a KH between 4 to 5. Check your KH value first. Once you have done this, adjust you PH via CO2 injection to the optimum level according to the KH table.

The WPG is just a general guide line and as pointed out earlier 1W from a T5 is not the same as 1W from a PL lighting source.

[David]

Slightly more light is better then less as the intensity drops over time. More also opens up more options for different type of plants that you may want to plant in the future.

Please don't go rushing to buy a light set. Use what you have first. Settle your water parameter. Only time will tell if you have enough light for your HG. They will indicate to you. So find out the signs from other hobbyist who have intimate knowledge of HG.

[meowmyshrimps]

Hi guys..thanks for your prompt response.

Actually I have not tested the water parameters at all. Tank has been running for a month and HG added just 1 week ago. Seems to be browning so i added DIY CO2 yesterday and light on for 7-8hrs daily.
Light brand is Aquazonic 4.32W lights.

Yes David, I'm tempted to get new lights but came here first to ask u guys opinions

[meowmyshrimps]

Yup I understand that anubias and java ferns doesnt need high lighting, can anyone ID what is the plant at the center? There werent any labelling on the plastic when i bought it at C328. Glad to learn from u all!

[David]

7hrs to 8hrs seems rather short for HG requirement. Whichever the case get a KH test kit, a PH indicator and perhaps KH powder? Does your water supply comes from roof top tanks? If so generally the KH is low around 2.

Incidentally do you have base fert? Cannot see your picture. Try using PhotoBucket.

[meowmyshrimps]

No i do not add any base ferts, only Seachem Excel. Is testing the KH really necessary for a newbie?

[meowmyshrimps]

[meowmyshrimps]

[David]

Yes, KH test kit and PH indicator are the basic tools any aquatic planter will need newbie or oldie. Any plant that is stuff into to substrate need base fert to flourish. Your thread only enquire about lights, however I asked you two other perimeter which are the fundamental requirements to aquatic planting. Do you not feel its important?

[AQMS]

Yup I understand that anubias and java ferns doesnt need high lighting, can anyone ID what is the plant at the center? There werent any labelling on the plastic when i bought it at C328. Glad to learn from u all!

The plant in the middle look like Bolbitis heteroclitia.
If you want to know more about lightings read this article.
http://www.americanaquariumproducts...._lighting.html

[AQMS]

Hi guys..thanks for your prompt response.

Actually I have not tested the water parameters at all. Tank has been running for a month and HG added just 1 week ago. Seems to be browning so i added DIY CO2 yesterday and light on for 7-8hrs daily.
Light brand is Aquazonic 4.32W lights.


Yes David, I'm tempted to get new lights but came here first to ask u guys opinions

For the hair grass you definitely need co2.
Since you are using some sort of ADA soil you dont need base fert .
ADA soil is compressed soil they have some nutrients baked in it. They are good for kick starting a tank because of the nutrients already present.
they are great for plants with short roots to start absorbing nutrients from their root system.
This being the main reason why some people cannot get Elatine tiandra,Hemianthus callitrichoides to grow in thick lapis sand + base fert combination.

[meowmyshrimps]

Hi guys, thx for your inputs.

Yes david, I will invest in a KH and PH test kit soon. Any recommendations which is affordable and accurate ones? And how much does it costs roughly?

Zerofighter, unfortunately I have removed all my jap HG last night and i replanted it with a mini taiwan moss lawn! haha. I have no patience waiting for the HG to fill out the carpet. Hopefully this one turns out well.
Now i notice on the left hand side one the background...not sure what moss is that its all browning.....sigh....contemplating if I should remove those.

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Any tips on improving my tank? Thk u guys!

[David]

@meowmyshrimps....you could buy the KH Test kit form Sera at about 15 bucks. As for PH, get the in-tank indicator as this will save you time monitoring these two values....Love your lights though.

As for the tank, perhaps you may like to get a background to cover away the rear end so that you don't see the wires and stuff like that. move your plant on the right to a center forward position and your center to the right rear.

[meowmyshrimps]

Thx for the prompt reply David. I will definitely check out the test kit. Is testing for KH still necessary even though i'm only using low-tech plants?

For the background, do u mean those sticker paste on at the back of the tank? What is it called and do they sell in various sizes?
haha so u want me to switch the java fern to the center, and center plant to the right huh.....hmmm ok let me try.
For the moss that is browning on the left plant below the anubias. Will it turn green again? Kinda look ugly.....

[David]

Hi meowmyshrimps....basically what was mentioned before are the basic any aquatic planters must know in order to be successful. It does not matter if one is on a high or low tech tank. In fact, the smaller the tank the harder it is to keep a stable water parameter. the objective of the day is to help you build your knowledge and confidence so that you will enjoy your hobby and perhaps getting more involved.

As for the background, most LFS will sell them and I think you have to cut it to size on your own which is not an issue. The reason I asked you to shift your plants so that you have an open space in the center for your tetras and keep the sides uniformed. google around of other planted tank images and have a feel what others are doing so that you are better to adapt aquascaping to your liking.

As far as I know, java fern that has turned brown have little chance to recover. Check your water parameter for KH and PH and if this is a new tank, change a minimum of 20% of your water weekly till your tank completes its cycle and do not add anymore fishes to increase bioload during cycling.