THE TEN-HOUR LIGHT RULE AND PLANT CARE

THE TEN-HOUR LIGHTS RULE

If your aquatic plants are refusing to stay rooted or simply aren't thriving, this guide is for you.

THE PROBLEM: UPROOTED PLANTS AND STUNTED GROWTH
A reader described a common frustration: plants like Hygrophila, Elodea Densa, and Myriophyllum Spicatum were floating to the surface before they could root, and those that stayed put weren't growing well. The aquarium had a single 15W fluorescent bulb running for just eight hours a day.

The Expert's Diagnosis: It’s All About the Light
The core of the problem is identified immediately. Your problem certainly lies in the fact that you have only one low-wattage Tube.

The prescription was clear:
* You will need at least 20 Watts of fluorescent light per square foot of surface area.
* The light should be kept on for at least 10 hours per day.
* The simple advice: At this stage, you need all the light you can get.

This "ten-hour rule" is a foundational principle for providing plants with the energy they need for photosynthesis and strong root development.

FERTILIZER: A SIMPLE, LONG-LASTING SOLUTION
For the struggling plants, the recommendation was straightforward. Instead of searching for complex solutions, the aquarist suggested a special substrate: "our special river-bed sand impregnated with Ferric fertilizer enough to dose an average plant for 30 months." This highlights the enduring importance of a nutrient-rich base for a healthy planted tank.

Source: Buce Plant


CHOOSING THE RIGHT PLANTS FOR THE TOP AND BOTTOM
The reader's plant selection was deemed good, but some additions are recommended for a fuller aquascape.

* For the bottom: Introduce short Vallisneria (water grass) or Eleocharis Acicularia (hair grass) to cover the base of the tank.

Source: Plants Rescue


* For the top: Use small portions of  Salvinia or Lemna Minor (duckweed). These plants require moderate lighting.

Source: MDPI


What About Water Hyacinth?
The reader asked about the beautiful but often problematic water hyacinth. The advice is cautionary.
The water hyacinth idea should be discarded, as they are far too large for a covered aquarium and might end up blocking the lights from reaching the other plants inside the aquarium, thereby killing them.

Source: Eco-Business

For those in love with the species, a compromise is offered: the lesser hyacinth (Eicchornia Azurea), which is less prolific and has leaves that "do not block light rays as they space out."

Source: Weeds Australia

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