On Fri, 27 May 2005 17:49:40 +1000, "Barbera Stone"
wrote:

just realized a possibility why my plants seem to die. I have had my light
for over 2.5 years and this week it began to make loud noises. I gathered
that it might be time to replace the globe, and I did. WOW, what a
difference. Compared to what the light was like before this is like a bright
light produced by camera flashes. It is the exact same brand and type of
globe, the older one that was replaced must have just died or something and
was not giving the plants the juice they need. I feed my plants a fertilizer
once every month, and after doing this and getting a new globe my plants
skyrocketed towards the surface - I even had to make some trimmings that I
had to regretfully throw away - no more room in my tank! I am overjoyed!


Those people that have special lighting suggest bulb changes every 6
months. My tanks' light range is in the "low light" range and aged
bulbs are just a bit lower. I bought plants that were content with
"low light." Did you consider the amount of light available when you
first got your plants. Perhaps your plants are happy now, but will
require frequent bulb changes to keep them happy if they are not
genetically "low light" plants. Low light is when the ratio of light
watts to tank gallons is 1.5 watts to a gallon or less.

I think its great you have seen the plants respond, it gives you good
information for their future maintenance.

dick