es31710

So I just got a tank from my sister. Well her stocking is aweful so i am returning some fish.
Stocking:
x3 Corydoras
x2 Honey gourami (Going Back)
x1 Bolivian Ram
x1 Platy
x1 Bristelnose (Going back)
x1 Flying fox (Going back)
Also it was not really planted once I got it removed all the plastic crap. Cut all the plastic plant off the decor. Added water sprite just to get nitrates down. So the plan is to replace the gravel and get new plants. I am thinking either black gravel or pool filter sand. Does anyone have suggestions on substrate preferably between those two. Also planning on buying tons of plants. Suggestions on plants. Preferably ones that can grow in 20 watt lighting. Also suggestions on stocking?

AaronT

You're not going to grow much beyond Anubias or Java Fern or Java Moss with that low lighting. Good call on removing the fish that are really too large for a 20 gallon tank.

It's such a small tank why not go with a plant specific substrate such as Seachem Flourite Black or even ADA Aquasoil?

es31710

That is a thought I didn't consider that but ya that would work. Well do you recommend anyway to get more lighting without spending to much money?
Would that lighting not even be enough for some crypts or jungle val?

AaronT

Honestly, I would just stick with those types of plants for now. If you want to upgrade lighting you'll want to also consider adding CO2 somehow.

DishyFishy

I know at PetSmart you can get dual T8 fixtures that are pretty inexpensive. They do great for my low-light 29gal.

Edit: Sorry, just realized you have a 20 High. The T8 may or may not be enough for low light in that case. Not sure.

asukawashere

If you have a good old-fashioned incandescent fixture (or if you can find one at a tag sale for a couple of bucks), you can replace the bulbs with a couple of 20- or 25-watt, 6500K CFL bulbs (the spiral kind the screw into a regular socket). A 2-bulb incandescent fixture with 2x 25W daylight CFLs will put out plenty of light for low- to moderate-light species, and only costs a couple of bucks.

Incidentally, honey gouramies don't get very big at all, and are great fish for planted tanks. A 20g setup is fine for them. The flying fox should definitely go back, though...

Given a choice between gravel and pool sand, I'd go with the pool sand... the finer grains are better for plant roots. Just a personal preference, though.

es31710

So get 2 20-25 watt bulb I think that is what I will do. I mean it is worth a shot if it is not that much. I am going to try and find that black blasting sand. But if not pool sand works. Can anyone identify these 2 plants.

aquabillpers

None of those plants are root feeders, so why would one spend the extra money on a "plant specific" substrate?

Bill