One Year with a 90 Gallon Planted Aquarium

[atmagoulick]

I have had success with growing Echinodorus bleheri in a 90 gallon. Here are some pictures of the tank growing. There are some other plants in the aquarium also. The Echinodorus bleheri really fill the tank quickly.

 

[Linus_Cello]

What type of light do you have? And what are the plants at the surface?

 

[atmagoulick]

I use three light strips with fluorescent bulbs for this 90 gallon aquarium. Two of the lights strips have double t5, 10,000 k bulbs. The third light strip has double t8, 10,000k bulbs. However, a double t8 ballast will grow Echinodorus bleheri in a 90 gallon aquarium and enough light to grow many other plants. I had extra light strips, so I added them to the aquarium. Natural sun light is said to be 6,500 k. I use the 10,000 k bulbs because Echinodorus bleheri thrives in bright light. I have experimented with using two 20,000 k metal halide bulbs for a year. Then, I experimented with a 6,500 mercury vapor bulbs for a year. I have had the best result with 10,000k fluorescent bulbs. The Madagascan lace plant grow best under a 20,000 k metal halide bulb. I stopped using the metal halide and the mercury vapor bulbs, because of the heat the ballast creates. Plus, fans are required to disperse the heat. The fans were to loud for my comfort.
The substrate is also important. The substrate is sand with iron laterite added. I also place miracle grow sticks under the plants roots. The plants on the top of the aquarium were orchids. They were doing well, but the fish needed more swimming space. I think any marsh or terrarium plants will grow on the surface. Thanks for your interest.

 

[Linus_Cello]

Darn. I was hoping you were using leds. Again what are the plants at the top?

 

[atmagoulick]

Again, the plants on the top of the aquarium were orchids. They were doing well, but the fish needed more swimming space. I think any marsh or terrarium plants will grow on the surface. I have not experimented with l. e. d. lights, but would like to purchase some. Thanks for your interest. I have plants to trade.

 

[Linus_Cello]

Cattleya orchids? Some folks can grow phalaenopsis in water.

 

[atmagoulick]

I have some orchids similar to Cattleya. About 5 years ago, I treated a fish for ich and everything died.

I had to start over. I started with Phalaenopis orchids.

They died under water. I have grown Dendrobiums underwater. I was growing Bulbophyllum, Leptotoes, Macaradenia, and Eximea. I bought them at a local orchid show. I can not find any Dendrobiums orchids near me. Do you have any for trade?

 

[atmagoulick]

I have some orchids similar to Cattleya. About 5 years ago, I treated a fish for ich and everything died.
View attachment 7392
View attachment 7393
I had to start over. I started with Phalaenopis orchids.
View attachment 7391
They died under water. I have grown Dendrobiums underwater. I was growing Bulbophyllum, Leptotoes, Macaradenia, and Eximea. I bought them at a local orchid show. I can not find any Dendrobiums orchids near me. Do you have any for trade?

I just updated my 90 gallon. I broke up a clump of Lagenandra Meeboldii pink from a terrarium. I will see if they grow submerged.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

They died under water. I have grown Dendrobiums underwater. I was growing Bulbophyllum, Leptotoes, Macaradenia, and Eximea. I bought them at a local orchid show. I can not find any Dendrobiums orchids near me.

These orchids are all epiphytes, they can't be grown constantly wet, and definitely not under water.

cheers Darrel

 

[atmagoulick]

Yes, they died.