Converting A High-tec Planted Tank To Low-tech?

[sophos9]

Hi

I've taken the plunge and have a new marine setup being delivered on Tuesday, I want to convert my Vision 180 from high-tec (3.33wpg, EI dosed, pressurised CO2) to a low-tech low maintenance tank...

Whats the best way to go about this please? All plants are good for lowlight... How do I avoid an algae cataclysm?

Many thanks

 

[BHornsey]

Hi sophos9,

I've not done this myself but the first priority will be to reduce light.
Are you intending to stay with CO2? If so you will be OK.
If not, you will have problems as the plants will need time to adapt.

With plentiful CO2, plants will use it directly. When it's not readily available, the plants need to start making rubisco to allow carbon to be drawn from the carbonate in the water (I hope I got that right )
However, rubisco production is hard work and plants stop making it if CO2 is present. From what I've learned it can take a bit of time for rubisco levels to come up and this is when algae can hit.

 

[rsands]

is the high tech tank to much to mantain?...just wandering cause i just ordered new lights

 

[sophos9]

Hi sophos9,

I've not done this myself but the first priority will be to reduce light.
Are you intending to stay with CO2? If so you will be OK.
If not, you will have problems as the plants will need time to adapt.

With plentiful CO2, plants will use it directly. When it's not readily available, the plants need to start making rubisco to allow carbon to be drawn from the carbonate in the water (I hope I got that right )
However, rubisco production is hard work and plants stop making it if CO2 is present. From what I've learned it can take a bit of time for rubisco levels to come up and this is when algae can hit.

Hi mate,

I'm looking to stop CO2, I need the pressurised system to make a calcium reactor for the marine tank. I'm also looking to drop the 110w of T5 (thats going into the marine also) which will leave me with 50w of T8 producing about 1.8wpg so its def low light

is the high tech tank to much to mantain?...just wandering cause i just ordered new lights

Hi,

Not too much to maintain, its just that I'm going marine so the little time I have will be dedicated to this. I dont want to lose the lovely (and some rare) fish that I have so I'm keeping the other tank too