Hi folks,
First, sorry for the long post.
Posting in the plants section as my query is specifically about creating an environment for plants. I'm 11 months in to the fish-keeping hobby and have decided to start a second tank, prior to closing down my current 64 litre. My new tank is a Fluval Roma 200 (just over 3 ft, 200 litre), currently sitting on the floor of my lounge until I get the cabinet for it this coming weekend. The internal U4 has been replaced with a AquaManta EFX 200 External Canister in a swap out deal done with the retailer.
The Roma comes with 2 Hagen T8 strip lights, one called Power-Glo, the other an Aqua-Glo, both rated at 30w each. From what I have read, there seems to be a magic formula of "3w per gallon (us)" to calculate the appropriate wattage of lighting for a planted tank. For mine, this would equate to a whopping 158w, more than double what I have now. Having looked around, I am unable to locate any source of strips that would give me this level of wattage, and I am unwilling to do what I believe is called "overdrive" for the lights; I need to keep things as simple as possible.
Question 1: Is this formula actually a valid assumption? I am unable to find any citation of a technical source that validates the formula, so am taking it as being "guidance based on experience and observation", rather than a defacto standard.
So, based on my default lighting scheme, and accepting the implication that this would be a "low-light" environment (despite it looking jolly bright to my poor human eyes), I am now in search of the most convenient method to provide both a substrate and nutrient environment.
My research has highlighted CO2 injection as being unnecessary in a "low-light" environment as boosting the CO2 would not be required due to the lower growth rates.
Question 2: Is CO2 injection (by kit, tablets or liquid) absolutely necessary in this scenario?
Next, I have managed to get myself to an impasse in regards to substrate. I have horticultural sand, used exclusively in my current tank, and I have a gravel (a brown/black/white type about 3-5mm in non-round size). Having read various articles that concern feeding plants, I am confused.
Question 3: Would I need a special base layer of substrate to provide iron & nutrients to root systems, or is a sand/gravel substrate sufficient, with an appropriate regime of dosing fertilizer through liquid and/or tablets?
That's a big question I know, as there are so many options, but I am looking for a "best bet" scenario given the lighting, and no CO2 injection. I am going to try an source "easy" plants of various sizes, and "carpeting" plants too.
Ok, you can beat me with sticks now.