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is my lighting enough for plants?
Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 11:19 am
by zenox8
I've got a 20 gallon tank with a Nicrew ClassicLED light, running it 8 hours a day. My Java Fern and Anubias aren't growing much, just kinda sitting there. Should I upgrade the light or adjust the duration?
Re: is my lighting enough for plants?
Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 11:25 am
by flumex
What's the wattage on that Nicrew? Low light plants like Java Fern and Anubias don't need much, but if it's under 10 watts, you might wanna bump it up. Also, check if the light spectrum is full spectrum or just blue/white.
Re: is my lighting enough for plants?
Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 1:20 pm
by hikers_22
I had the same issue with my Anubias. Turns out my light was too weak. Switched to a Finnex Planted+ and saw growth in a week. Maybe try a stronger light if you're not seeing any changes.
Re: is my lighting enough for plants?
Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 2:23 pm
by loachhub
Yep, those plants are low light but still need some decent intensity. If you're not dosing ferts, that could also be part of the problem. Try a liquid fertilizer like Thrive.
Re: is my lighting enough for plants?
Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 2:42 pm
by lizette
My tank's similar, 20 gallons with a basic LED. My Java Fern took forever to grow until I added root tabs. Maybe it's not just the light?
Re: is my lighting enough for plants?
Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 2:59 pm
by heartfelt
flumex wrote: ↑Sun May 18, 2025 11:25 am
What's the wattage on that Nicrew? Low light plants like Java Fern and Anubias don't need much, but if it's under 10 watts, you might wanna bump it up. Also, check if the light spectrum is full spectrum or just blue/white.
I agree with this. Also, make sure your light isn't too far from the water surface. The closer it is, the more intensity the plants get.
Re: is my lighting enough for plants?
Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 4:17 pm
by biteon
I'd say chill for a bit. Those plants grow slow anyway. Give it a month before you start messing with the setup.
Re: is my lighting enough for plants?
Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 4:50 pm
by voltix1
Have you checked your water params? Sometimes high nitrates can stunt plant growth. Test your water just to rule that out.
Re: is my lighting enough for plants?
Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 6:37 pm
by Flowerbox
Yo, I've got the same light and my plants are popping. Maybe it's your substrate? I use Fluval Stratum and it's been a game changer.
Re: is my lighting enough for plants?
Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 7:26 pm
by flarion
hikers_22 wrote: ↑Sun May 18, 2025 1:20 pm
I had the same issue with my Anubias. Turns out my light was too weak. Switched to a Finnex Planted+ and saw growth in a week. Maybe try a stronger light if you're not seeing any changes.
Finnex is solid, but pricey. If you're on a budget, the Hygger LED is a good middle ground.