A Bit Of Guidance On Lighting..

[Fwapp]

Hi guys,

Hope you can help me out. I recently started a new job, and as expected, I'm incredibly busy with it. This means that I cannot go down the EI route with it. To this end, I reluctantly decided to go the traditional low tech route. Now, I have pressurised Co2, I intend to dose with my current seachem flourish, have a substrate of Tetra Plant complete, topped with Seachem Onyx sand. The question is what lighting level do I aim for? I have a new tank now (thanks wife!) a Rena Classic 120x40x55 (69 gallons) with 60W of lighting. Could some one advise what WPG I should aim for for normal growth and minimum chance of Algea?

Thanks,

 

[George Farmer]

With pressurized CO2 you're looking at more of a "mid-tech" set up.

You probably realise you current lighting is very low, limiting you to low-light tolerant plants.

I'd look at doubling it to 4 x 30w T8 with reflectors. This will give you 1.7wpg, enough to grow most plants, even some carpets.

Invest in a decent substrate, this way water water column dosing is less of an issue i.e. no need for EI.

Buy a decent off-the-shelf fert i.e. Tropica AquaCare Nutrition or Seachem Flourish and dose once or twice a week. Change 25% water every week or two.

Plant heavily from the outset, keep up CO2 to 20-30ppm and you shouldn't get algae issues.

You fish/food waste and substrate (and tapwater?) should provide enough nitrates and phosphates.

 

[Fwapp]

Thanks for the reply.

As you say, the existing lighting is very low, but I was unsure how high to go without going EI. I can transfer my existing lighting (45watts) over until I get an additional 2x 30.
My thoughts on the substrate are adding a bag of eco complete to my existing onyx sand (with tetraplant substrate underneath), giving a decent substrate whilst maintaining the black colour I'm after.

You mention that my tap water should give enough nitrates and phosphates. Your not wrong! I had my tap water tested in a lab, before I left my last job, with nitrates being at 30ppm, and phos at 3ppm. Should be enough!

 

[Aeropars]

And you think your bad! My PO4 is off the chart!

 

[George Farmer]

Thanks for the reply.

As you say, the existing lighting is very low, but I was unsure how high to go without going EI. I can transfer my existing lighting (45watts) over until I get an additional 2x 30.
My thoughts on the substrate are adding a bag of eco complete to my existing onyx sand (with tetraplant substrate underneath), giving a decent substrate whilst maintaining the black colour I'm after.

You mention that my tap water should give enough nitrates and phosphates. Your not wrong! I had my tap water tested in a lab, before I left my last job, with nitrates being at 30ppm, and phos at 3ppm. Should be enough!

Sounds ideal.

Your tap is perfect for planted.