is my tank too deep for plants?

[dawnride]

I've got a 30 gallon tank that's 24 inches deep. My Java Fern and Anubias aren't doing great, and I'm wondering if it's because the tank's too deep. The light is a Fluval Plant 3.0, set to 70% for 8 hours. Substrate is sand with root tabs. Anyone else deal with this?

[tankero]

Depth can be tricky for some plants. Java Fern and Anubias are low-light, but 24 inches might be pushing it. What's your PAR rating at the substrate? If it's below 20, they'll struggle. You might need to adjust the light intensity or duration. Also, check your CO2 levels if you're running it.

[laki]

Yo, deep tanks are a vibe but yeah, plants gonna struggle if the light ain't strong enough. My 20-inch deep tank had the same issue till I upgraded to a stronger light. Try cranking the Fluval to 100% or adding a second light. Sand with root tabs is solid tho.

[brixta]

Depth can be tricky for some plants. Java Fern and Anubias are low-light, but 24 inches might be pushing it. What's your PAR rating at the substrate? If it's below 20, they'll struggle. You might need to adjust the light intensity or duration. Also, check your CO2 levels if you're running it.

PAR's a good point. Most hobbyists don't measure it, but it's crucial for deep tanks. If you can't measure PAR, just watch the plants. If they're stretching or pale, the light's weak.

[steven45]

I've got a 24-inch deep tank too, and my plants were fine once I switched to a Nicrew HyperGrow. It's cheaper than the Fluval and way stronger. Also, make sure you're not overdoing the root tabs. Too much can mess with the water chemistry.

[floride]

The Fluval Plant 3.0 should be enough if you're not running CO2. Maybe try reducing the photoperiod to 6 hours and see if that helps. Some plants just take time to adjust.

[turtler]

Deep tanks are a pain for plants, no lie. I'd suggest adding some floating plants to shade the lower areas. They'll help balance the light and give the Java Fern a break. Also, check your water flow. Too much can stress low-light plants.

[dawnride]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll try adjusting the light and maybe add a second one. I don't have a PAR meter, but I'll keep an eye on the plants for signs of stress.

[oceanfox]

My tank's 20 inches deep and I had the same issue. Switched to a Hygger light and it made a huge difference. Also, make sure your sand isn't too compact. Roots need to breathe.

[laki]

My tank's 20 inches deep and I had the same issue. Switched to a Hygger light and it made a huge difference. Also, make sure your sand isn't too compact. Roots need to breathe.

Hygger's a solid choice for budget lights. And yeah, compact sand's a killer. Poke it with a chopstick every now and then to loosen it up.