Lots of Q's

[James From Cali]

At petsmart they have these nutrient/fert tabs for aquatic plants. Are those any good? Also should/could I use a liquid fert(Plant Gro) along with the tabs without any wierd side affects? Also what kind of lighting does Mondo Grass need?

 

[GIS Guy]

The advice given to me stated:
rooted plants need substrate ferts;
non-rooted plants need liquid ferts.

I have anachris and java fern on my driftwood.
Since neither is planted I am using liquid.

 

[James From Cali]

That brings me to another Q. How do you attach Java Fern to driftwood?

 

[GIS Guy]

I used nylon thread (fishing line) and gently tied it on.
The thread was placed thru the dense rizome/root area so I know it will hold.
Once the roots attach themselves to the wood, I'll remove the thread.
(I also tied thread on the anachris and weighed them down with lead sinkers.)

 

[James From Cali]

Okay thanx. Now to know if Mondo Grass is an actual aquatic plant.

 

[Katie217]

well i read last night on plantgeek.net that mondo grass isnt a REAL aquatic plant, but it will live there for a while but not thrive...sad cuz i just boughht 2 last night

 

[James From Cali]

I wanted some for my tank. Well I guess dwarf sag will have to do.

 

[Katie217]

well the ones i bought were cheap, so if they die, no biggie...cuz that means more room for a diff plant

 

[James From Cali]

The ones over here are 4.99, and dwarf sagitaria(spl) is 2.29. My mom doesn't like to buy over the internet, so I dont have many options.

 

[GIS Guy]

Grasses usually require high light.
What's your wpg?

 

[James From Cali]

1.9 watts per gallon.

 

[Katie217]

2.5 wpg.....i think, tank is 10gals, bulbs are 25 watts each...i have to bulbs...

 

[GIS Guy]

I have exactly 2wpg.
Since it is low-mid light, I was wary of adding grasses.
I have enough room to add a third bulb to my DIY fixture.
When I do, I'll get some grasses then I think.

Katie, that's 5wpg.
2x25=50/10=5

 

[James From Cali]

My petsmart dont have any lighting over 19 watts for 10gs. It sucks.

 

[Katie217]

so is 5wpg a good thing?

 

[James From Cali]

What kind of plants can you have with 1.9 watts per gallon. All the plants I ever get are known as low-moderate low plants but they all seem to die.

 

[James From Cali]

You Katie have like a moderate high-high lighting I think.

 

[Katie217]

oh ok cool! i thought that i had a low light tank lol i guess not

 

[James From Cali]

No I have the low light tank, especially with 1.9 watts per gallon.

 

[GIS Guy]

Katie, you'll have to check the plant threads.
From what I have been trying to learn the higher the wpg, the more you need Co2.

James, you could always just get a glass top and 2 10g lights.
2x19=38/10=3.8wpg
But check your bulb, it may only be 15w instead of 19w.
That's how mine was before I redid it.

Moneywort, Anachris, Java Fern & Moss, Marimo Ball, Hornwort
Those should all be low light.