[deb]

Hi I have some questions I have a 32 gallon tank (not set up yet) and am planning on having it as a moderatly planted tank and would like to know what type of plants that I could use to start plant without CO2? I will be getting CO2 later, but for now will not be using it until April when I get my bonus from work. Will the lights that came with my tank be ok the Sun-Glow (1) 4200k, and 1 Aqua-Glow 18000? Any help would be appreciated. Deb

 

[New 2 Fish]

Watts...

Do you know how many watts those lights are? That will determine what plants you can grow. However, there are quite a few that you can grow in what is considered low light (1.5watts per gallon). Java fern, java moss, crypts.... I'm sure there are a lot more. I'm pretty new to this myself, so I'm sure others can be more helpful.
Also, do you know what type of gravel/substrate you want to use? I started with regular gravel and couldn't keep anything growing. Now I have one tank with florite and another with ecocomplete.... both doing great compared to what they used to be like!
Welcome to the hobby....this is a great place to get info. You also might want to try Plantgeek.net for their plant guide- you can search by difficulty of plants and lighting requirements.

 

[deb]

I hope that I am reading the bulb correctly ay 20 watts. I hoping to get a really great planted tank to help hide the fish from my cats they like jumping at my 10 gallon right now and scaring the fish. They spend hours watching them that way they have a chance to hid from the cats. All help is greatly appreicated.

Deb

 

[Darkblade48]

With only 40/32 = 1.25 wpg, you may want to consider upgrading to a higher lighting, as with so little light, you will be only able to grow some plants that are tolerant of low light. (i.e. Java moss, Java fern come to mind)

If you are willing to spend money, you could always invest in better lighting, and then invest in a pressurized CO2 system, as without enough light, injecting CO2 is a waste of resources.

 

[trenac]

The light fixtures/bulbs that come with the tank setup is inadequate for growing plants, you need plant bulbs rated from 5000k to 10000k. Since you do not want to use C02 than go for 1.5-2WPG, if you go over 2WPG then C02 is needed.

 

[deb]

Thank you it looks like I am updating my lighting the bulbs came with the tank and I wasn't quite sure that it was what I needed for plants.