somnio Posted September 26, 2009 Report Share Posted September 26, 2009 i have a 50 gal tank that is lightly planted with sword plants, a java fern, some crypacoryne and some corkscrew val...(don't know the spelling) they are doing ok but some of the swords and corkscrew have some brown patches i was wondering if adding some liquid firtilizer work help? and if so what type should i get. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
werner Posted September 26, 2009 Report Share Posted September 26, 2009 Can you give some more tank specs? How much light, stocking levels, etc. Any pics of the brown spots? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
somnio Posted September 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 its a 50 gal tank with the following: 5 angels 1 kir 4 bolivians 1 bichir 1 faraswella 2 synadontis 1 african butterfly 1 small ghost knife plants are random i believe i have the lifeglo for lights, what ever the 67 000 K lights are, they aren't really spots as to browning all around... hope that helps water perameters as follows: nitrites 0ppm nitrates 0ppm almonia 0ppm ph 8.2 so the only thing that is off is the ph, waters changes once ever 2-3 weeks which i probably should do more often otherwise everything is normal, fish aren't stressed. just plant looking alittle brown around the edges Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timbruun Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 zero nitrates is not normal. unless you did a large water change before checking your stats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
somnio Posted September 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 ive always have had 0 nitrates, and the tank has been running for a year or they have been very minimal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
werner Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 Nitrates at or near zero is fairly common for planted tanks. That's why we have to add it via fertilizers. How many watts of light? Just the standard T5 that comes with tank kits? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
somnio Posted September 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 [they are the T8, 15 watts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewels Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 [they are the T8, 15 watts You may need six or seven of these to get up to two watts per gallon. Perhaps a good start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
werner Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Yeah, the browning is more likely due to low light levels than lack of fertilizer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
somnio Posted September 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 okay so how do i get enough light practically and not spending a fortune? the browning is more like one or two leaves, its not like they are dying all together, my swords are even sending out runners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishclubgirl Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 I have bought the coralife fixtures and just replaced the light strip. For my 20g, it cost me about 90 dollars but it was worth it. My plants love me now!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
werner Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 okay so how do i get enough light practically and not spending a fortune? the browning is more like one or two leaves, its not like they are dying all together, my swords are even sending out runners. I have found that swords tend to propagate well when they're stressed (overcrowded, low light, etc.) I think they're trying to preserve themselves by producing new plants that will eventually float away and find a more suitable location somewhere. It's going to cost you some $$$ to get more light. The cheapest option might be to find a used fixture here in the buy/sell, or DIY something. If you don't want to upgrade right now, at least make sure your bulbs are replaced regularly (every 6 months). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
somnio Posted September 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 okay so how much lighting will i need and what is the best way to set it up.... should i get a couple of long 48'' lights to replace the ones that i have now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
werner Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 (edited) You should probably be aiming for just over 100watts of light to get moderate lighting levels. Once you go over about 2.5 watts per gallon (mid-high light), you start getting into a position where you will need CO2 addition, etc. Your 55gal is about 20" deep? A higher intensity light like power compact (compact fluorescent) or T5HO will help penetrate to the bottom. Some options: -Coralife 2x65W power compact -Nova Extreme 2x54W T5HO -AquaticLife 2x54W T5HO This one can be upgraded down the road. The power compact fixtures have been around for a while, so you may be able to find a used one more easily than T5HO. Edited September 28, 2009 by werner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
somnio Posted September 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2009 thanks a bunch i'll start pricing things out!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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