Lydia

Well I have a 20 high that I have had plants in for about 9 months. I've only had low light plants since it is a 20 high with 15 watts in the normal hood, and I had a hood from a 2.5 hex that had a 10 watt bulb in it that I balanced behind the normal hood (sounds like it would look stupid but you can't even see it from the front). After seeing all of the awesome looking tanks on here, I want to redo my 20. Problem is I don't have the $50-70 dollars it would cost to get a new hood with more light. So I was wondering: would it do any good to use a semi-good substrate like laterite with the gravel I have in there, and should I use a fert like Flourish Excel? Or would I be wasting my money and giving algea a boost? Is there anything else y'all would suggest? The plants I have in there now are about 15 aponegetons, 2 anubias barteri (pretty good sized-I've had them in there for a while), 2 different swords as far as I can tell, another anubias that I dont' know what kind it is but it looks like afzelli, and some crypts and a few other unidentified plants. I am thinking about removing about half of the aponegetons, and putting the rest into one corner since it looks like they are trying to take over the world, or at least my tank. Do y'all know of any other plants that would work with that low watts? I might be able to get some java moss, java fern, and African fern. Do y'all think those would work in my tank?

Also I have a 10 gallon that pretty soon will be free for aquascaping hopefully. This one I want to do right from the start. What light would you recommend for it? I plan to do DIY co2, some kind of fert, and laterite with gravel. Hopefully with that I can get some nicer plants than the ones I have in my 20 gallon.

Sorry about the long post but I want to make my tanks look better. Y'all have inspired me

trenac

Light/wattage is the most important factor in growing plants, so just adding Laterite will not help in growing more different plants. If what you have been doing is working just stick with it (if it's not broke don't fix it). I would stay away from African fern but Java moss/fern will work in your setup. Check out our plantfinder for more plant ideas.

For the 10G tank I would recommend 30 watts (flourescents) or 20 watts (power compacts) , if you want to grow more of a variety of plants. Seachem makes a good line of ferts.

Lydia

OK thanks for the help. What substrate would you suggest in the 10? I really want to put gravel...would laterite with gravel work fine? I will research Seachem's ferts...is there any particular one you would recommend? Thanks!

trenac

If you want gravel I would go with Eco-complete or Fluorite, some regular gravels will leach and cause the water parameters to change.

For ferts I would start out with Seachem Flourish and micros. Then as the plants grow you may need to add individual ferts such as nitrates, phosphates and iron.

Lydia

OK thanks a lot trenac!