amazon swords

[Robo-snickers]

So, i grown a liking to amazon swords, i dont have any, but i feel they will fit the empy spot in my tank perfectly, and my lfs has a few really nice ones for sale. But my problem is i have a low light tank. Currently i have the 29 gallon Marineland LED Starter tank lights, that has an LED light that produces a total of only 4.62 watts. I dont know the color spectrum. Im just wondering will swords survive in my tank. I might add one of the those surmergable lights that marineland offers to add some light.

[wijnands]

Echindorus.. well, those really do need some light. With cfl tubes I'd say 1 watt/gallon perhaps a touch more

[es31710]

Swords do not need a lot of light but that would be to low of lighting. I grow mine in a 20 gallon high with a 15 watt T8 bulb. Just to give you an example. But I do fertilize.

[Cermet]

Are you certain that the OUTPUT intensity of the LED is 4 watts or that is the power consumed? If the power consumed, then the LED is putting out far more lumens than that tiny number means and will be suitable for low light plants most likely.

[Robo-snickers]

Are you certain that the OUTPUT intensity of the LED is 4 watts or that is the power consumed? If the power consumed, then the LED is putting out far more lumens than that tiny number means and will be suitable for low light plants most likely.

I copied and paste this from the marineland website. that is spec of my tank size and current light. the way the hood is set up you cant add any tube fixtures.

LED Kit 29 30" x 12" x 18"
# and Color of LEDs and Wattage 42 White/3 Blue.11W LEDs
Total Watts 4.62
Total LUX 990
TotalLumens@ 12" 310


And below is the surmegable LED fixture im thinking about adding, it fits on the rim and can be pointed in the direction i want.

Size 21”
# of .06Watt White LEDs 72
# of .06 Watt Blue LEDs 16
PAR/LUX at 12" 25/1121
PAR/LUX at 24" 11/377
Lumens 350
6,500K white, 460nm blue LEDs

[Cermet]

990 Lux is a fairly bright source.

350 Lumens is a fair amount of light as well (but 1/3 as bright as the 990 Lux.)

Should be ok with moderate light plants.

6500 K is ideal color temp for plants, so-so as a white light source for seeing fish at their best color.

[Lady Hobbs]

Sword plants really grow too large for a 29 gallon tank and are iron hogs needing iron pellets at the roots. I would get something more suitable for a 29 gallon to start with.

[luv2sk8te17]

What type of substrate are you using? If you had decent fertilization, perhaps the plant can survive with less light. I use nothing for fertilization and t is planted in black diamond sandblasting sand. Mine grows fast using t8 bulb 10k. You can always trim the plant to keep it smaller for your 20g.
I also have a red sword to give some color other than green to the scene.

[dice502]

I have 4 swords, plain old play sand substrate, 55 gallon, started with less than 1 watt per gallon and they did ok... they survived at least. No root tabs, the only thing I was adding is 10ml leaf zone every other day, added 150 watts of light (maybe a bit of overkill) and a diy co2 system. My swords sprout a new leaf about every other day... SO PRETTY!