jon2far Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 I have val,amazon swords and in process of getting more plants. However 2years later my plants are more or less stagnant. I have a basic plant bulb, use carbon,excel and root tabs. What could i do to throw these plants into hyper drive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psylant Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 What's your lighting, fauna, and tank depth? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 If you have CO2 AND Excel, but aren't dosing any other ferts, then I'd guess you've got some nutrient limitation. Also, if you only have a single bulb over a 120 (going by your intro post), I have my doubts you have enough light to drive plant growth. If you give some detials about your system, we could probably taylor some advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon2far Posted February 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 For lighting i have crap fixture with floramax bulb single use root tabs,carbon and excel. im kinda on limited budget (1yr old and another in sept) I really wanna upgrade filtration first. Also its a tall tank so i bet that hinders growth as well. Gonna keep my eyes out for used lighting. whats should i get? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 Sunblaster T5HO fixtures are relatively cheap and should get the penetration you need on the 120 - is it a 48" long tank? If you go with 2x 48" Sunblasters (come with reflectors), you'll have enought light to grow pretty much anything. Pick them up at any hydroponics store, and while you're there get some dry fertiliser, too. When I had planted tanks, I used the Estimative Index method - there's a pinned thread to get your grocery list from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psylant Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 Good advice ^ It's almost definitely your lightning holding you back at this point. Do be careful though when you upgrade. If you have imbalances in your water chemistry you'll have a crazy algae bloom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishclubgirl Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 Agreed about the sunblasters but keep it simple. Get a basic fert or come on out to a CAS meeting. Some of the planty guys have an awesome DIY fert mix. Also, you might have some issues with the vals and the excel.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Influence Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 Maybe it's just me but when you say " carbon " are you talking about the black filter media ? If so , you want to take that out . It should only be used to remove medications and impurities.... It will suck out the excel ... Blake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon2far Posted February 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 I was referring to liquid co2 as carbon. I also run a carbon pad in cannister filter. Should i not be using carbon pad? Would removing help the plants but require more water changes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckmullin Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 It's counter productive to run granular carbon in a planted tank filter. Ditch all that and use filter floss from walmart, $5 a bag will last at least a couple years. If it's a good planted tank then do a 50% water change every two weeks. If you intend to dose ferts then a water change might be needed just a tad more often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Influence Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 I second ckmullin . I only use filter floss on my planted tank ... And I only rinse my floss once a month and change it every 6 months .... Blake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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