Bulbs Option For Rio 240

[bardbj]

Hi,

I've just recently got myself a 2nd hand Juwel Rio 240 (volume 63g). I'm trying to continue with a planted tank, after successfully doing so with my 64L tank. So, the question I have is how do I go about to achieve the required 2WPG?

With the lighting unit that comes with the tank, I can only find a maximum of 38W T8 (for 42" or 1 metre tube). So, my max lighting would only be 76W, which equivalent to about 1.2WPG. Other than upgrading the lighting unit, is there any other way of doing it?

For info, my tank specs at the moment are:
Plant - Java Fern, Java Moss, Vallis, Riccia
DIY CO2
Fertiliser - EI + Flourish Excel as trace

Thanks in advance.

 

[three-fingers]

You can buy other starter units and attatch them under the hood too. The starter would sit outside the tank, the leads would go under the hood, and you can use arcadia T8 bulb holders to clip the bulbs together. You could get an extra 1-2 tubes in that way, either T5 or T8. Or you could reomove the hood and add a luminaire.

Also, if you dan't already have reflectors, get them.

But with those plants and DIY CO2, why do you want to get up to 2wpg? Do you plan on upgrading your CO2 kit and growing more demanding plants?

Btw, Flourish Excel doesnt do traces, regular Flourish would, but Seachem make Flourish Trace specifically for that use.

 

[bardbj]

Reflector is already planned, trying to find one that could fit with the unit.

I'm just worried about the ricia as I thought it need 2WPG as it is situated on the ground. But, if it is not necessary, I won't be upgrading it then.

Thanks for the info on Excel. I didn't know that! Guess I've been lucky with me previous setup as the plants were going so well with this Excel + EI. So, I'll try to find either Flourish or Flourish Trace.

 

[Truck]

Riccia will do fine in a 1WPG situation, with CO2 that is, its a high CO2 plant IME.