Beginner Planted Tank

[flyinfool2]

I am slowly adding plants to my 29G tank. Here are some specs:


0 Ammo
0 Nitrites
5-20 Nitrates (Weekly 50% water changes)
2 HOB filters, Aquaclear 50, Topfin 30
7.9 PH
8 dGH
4 dKH
Tap after treatment with Prime: 0-5 trAtes, .25 Ammo 7.6-8.0 PH
Substrate is pea-sized gravel, 1-3 inch depth graded front to back
12 Neon Tetra
7 Albino Corydora
1 Molly
1 Dwarf Gourami

I plan on upgrading the current single T8 18 Watt light that came with the tank to a dual T5 HO, 48 total Watt. Does this sound like it will work for a low light required plant setup? Will root tabs and occasional liquid ferts be enough? I have researched good low-light plants. Currently I have two Anubias plants (Nana and Afzelii). I would like to add Vallisneria as a tall back-drop plant.

[mojosodope]

You'll be fine with dual T5HO, you will be getting low -low/med lighting on your tank with those which is perfect for the anubias and jungle val.

On another note tho, that is a big pH swing, does it drop to 7.6 after a water change?

[flyinfool2]

The PH stays very stable, I just put the range in there because it is hard for me to really tell what color it is on the API High range color chart, leaning towards the 8.0, but it is always the same color after a water change.

Thanks for the reply! :ssmile:

[talldutchie]

Plant, be patient, remove obvious dead leaves and give it a month before jumping to any conclusions

[flyinfool2]

I forgot one other question...

I am going to remove the old hood/light combo, and I want to cover the aquarium to prevent excess evaporation and fish suicide. What is best for the lighting, glass or acrylic? I am leaning towards an acrylic sheet cut to fit, and then drilling/cutting for a hinged front to make for easy feeding.

[talldutchie]

Since that bit will be handled quite a lot acrylic might be the most sensible choice.

[flyinfool2]

I'm not sure what you mean by that. I thought acrylic was stronger than glass?

[talldutchie]

That's what I was trying to say, guess I was doing too much at once.

A condensation cover will be handled a lot. Cutting a hatch in glass is difficult. So, acrylic would be the most practical choice.

[flyinfool2]

Sorry, re-read your post. My fault, I understand what you meant....DOH! thumbs2:

[FishGuy67]

I recently did my own lid with custom cut glass etc. and def. would backup dutchie on acrylic being much easier to do.