10 gallon lighting and root feeding plants

[jakester42]

I have a 10 gallon that i am looking to set up with aquasoil and rocks and do a nano scape but I need help with two aspects, lighting and best plants. So for lighting i am just going to get a light fixture that clips onto the side of my 10 gallon. Do I need two of these if I go with either of the CFL bulbs you guys sell or can one light with either bulb be enough for the whole tank and how long should i keep the lights on? I will more than likely not be using CO2. Then because I am using aquasoil and diy root tabs only fertilizer wise I need some root feeding plants to put in there besides anubias and crypts. Ideas? I will get two fixtures if that means I can have a more varied plant stock. Fish stock will be minimal if that info is needed. 

[Carl]

I would suggest about 25 to 35 watts worth of CFL lights, make sure they are approx. 6500K

Product Resource:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/PowerCompact.html#cfl

What would be a better light and is easy to attach to a wall next to an aquarium or all sorts of DIY upgrades is the T2 light.
These are vastly superior to any CFL or even a T5 when compared watt per Watt, yet are not all that expensive

Two 8 Watt T2 Aquarium lights would work very well.

Reference:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquariumbulb.html

The Narrow Leaf Sagittaria would be an easy root fed plant.

Reference:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumPlants.html#sagittaria

Make sure to add some #3 or #5 substrate over the ADA Aquasoil to hold down, as Aquasoil tend to break down into a fine dust over time.

Further Information
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumPlants.html

Carl

[jakester42]

I can't drill it to the walls because I am in a dorm so thats why i am going cfl.

alright sagitarria, anubias, and crypts anything else?

what is #3 and #5 substrate? Like that size in cm or something?

[Carl]

The planted Aquarium Article I provided gives some information and links as to gravel/substrate size.

This article (linked from the planted aquarium article) is even more specific with pictures showing different sizes:
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2006/08/aquarium-gravel-which-size.html

The T2 light does not necessarily need to be drilled into your wall, what I meant is a shelf or simply false back, such a piece of plywood
These T2s can also be just placed on the glass top (with spacers for best results)
My point is these lights are so simple to find many ways to mount or place over the aquarium with just a little imagination

Here are just a couple other articles with pictures of T2s "in action"
aquarium-digest.com/2012/01/24/t2-subminiature-aquarium-lights-review-planted-reef-fish/
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Lighting.html#t2

Here is a picture from one of the above suggested reading article:



Carl

[jakester42]

Thank You for the help and one last thing. If I get the two t2s will i be able to grow anymore plants with just ada soil and diy root tabs but no C02?

[Carl]

Most definitely yes, assuming you maintain adequate ferts as per the planted Freshwater article

We have a customer that the only carbon added is SeChem Floush Excel, and she use T2s in many of her aquariums, with great success.


The attachment picture is one of her 10 gallon aquariums using T2 Lights and otherwise "low tech" plant keeping methods

Carl

Attachments:

[devonjohnsgard]

Yea, just laying the T-2 right on the rim of the 10 gal will go the trick. I've used them and was happy with the easy to use, no hassle light. It has a reflector too, so you can direct the light. Nice and you would be able to grow whatever you want.

[jakester42]

Wouldnt it be cheaper to just buy one 13 watt T2 HO

[Carl]

[quote author="jakester42"

You could, but the 13 watt is longer than your tank at 21.5 inches

Reference:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquariumbulb.html

Carl

[jakester42]

It would save me 27$ and almost be as much as two of the 8 watts correct?

[Carl]

Nov 15, 2014 22:28:25 GMT -5 jakester42 said:

It would save me 27$ and almost be as much as two of the 8 watts correct?

Yep!

Carl

[parker002]

Don't worry about CO2. My 14G has two spiral CFLs (don't remember exact wattage) in a modified plastic hood (there might be a thread about what I did somewhere on here).

I don't supplement any CO2 at all, not even Excel, and the plants are overgrown to the point of being a nuisance at times.