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MInimal lighting

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1.1K views 3 replies 4 participants last post by  erik Loza  
#1 ·
Have a37 gal. tank with 2" gravel up against a west facing window. I have only a 20 watt fluorscent bulb. Can I expect to grow two amazon swords in this setting??. They have been in my tank for about 1 week and they have neither deteriorated nor grown very much. What is your take on this situation?
Thanks, vininn
 
#2 ·
probably not going to work. I moved one of my swords to my 37 gal. because I didn't want it in my planted tank at the time and I didn't want to throw it away.
It is actually still in my 37 gal. tank 3 months later but most of the larger leaves have melted and the smaller leaves look like crap. I have about 24 watts in the tank pretty close to a window. I don't put any ferts in the tank though.
My sword was a beautiful 18" wide x 18" tall plant and is now a 5x8 mess.
 
#3 ·
Welcome to APC!

Amazon swords need at least 2 watts per gallon to grow good. You have very little light in your tank, under 1wpg. This along with the window light most than likely will not be enough light.
 
#4 ·
You might consider some of the bigger Anubias, like frazeri. I am growing them quite well at <1wpg (28w PC over 30-gallon cube tank, and no CO2) and as they mature, they can get near the size of one of smaller sword plants. My local Petco's and Petsmart's routinely offer them for about $5 per pot. That's a bargain for such a nice-looking and undemanding plant. You might look into it. Good luck.