FWSWBW

Where do you get bogwood? is it the same as driftwood? I'm thinking of putting more plants in my tank, I have 1 55 watt pc that I would like to use on a 20 gallon tall..do you see a problem with using that type of light? It has a 50/50 twin bulb..I have just a regular 15 watt strip light on there now and have noticed some of my plants are getting that black algae on them..what is the cause of this and why dosen't my algae eater eat it? I scrape it off with my fingernail and suction it out. It's a very small amount but i don't want it to turn into a big problem.

Jay

Question #1 bog-wood

Bog-wood is wood that has been in the swamp or bog for years and has cured by adsorbing the minerals available.

Driftwood is usually associated with wood that has cured in saltwater.

Both are available from any number of sources on-line.

Question #2 light

No. The reflector does, however, need to provide even illumination.

Question #3 Algae.

I really do not know which algae you are talking about but BBA (Black Beard Algae) or Cyanobacteria can both appear black. Algae eating critters will not touch either one. Excellent water quality, pruning infected leaves, perhaps a 72 hour blackout can all be effective against these algae.

Further, with a 15 watt strip over them, your plants are probably weak and telling you they need an intervention. There is a saying in the planted tank community "Grow Plants not Algae".

I would suggest that in the future we discuss issues separately instead of shotgun in one thread. OK by you?

Regards,
Jay

FWSWBW

Ok...alot of places hate it when you post too many threads if they all concern the same tank...so I was just trying to keep the threads to a min.
Different fourms, different prefrences...so the pc wont work, what kind of light would be good for the 20 tall? or can I just get a new bulb?

Jay

That was...no I do not see a problem with the 55 watt pc

Jay

makaris

Question: This is a 20g tall, right? How tall is tall? It'll probly be fine, but be aware when you're thinking about getting some tall, leggy, high-light plant species that the depth of your tank is going to inhibit light penetration to some extent. Still, using the rule we have 55W/20g, and that gives us nearly 3 watts per gallon. Even considering the depth of the tank, you've got more than enough to grow low- and medium-light varieities.