Is this actually too much light for a planted tank

[Sky042]

I'd like to do a planted tank in my 37G.
I currently have a playsand substrate that I was going to mix florite or something smilar into.
the tank is 22" tall I was going to put a coralife 30" freshwater PC lamp onto it it's 2 x 65 W 6700K lamps.

Is 130W too much light when I'm not planning on doing a CO2 setup?

Any suggestions for equipment would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jimbooo]

in a word yes. without CO2 you'll have a HUGE algae problem.

why not add 2 nutrafin natural plant systems?

 

[Sky042]

in a word yes. without CO2 you'll have a HUGE algae problem.

why not add 2 nutrafin natural plant systems?

I thought the CO2 stuff was expensive. Then I started checking on big al's and discovered that CO2 isn't that pricey afterall.

Something like this perhaps?
http/www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/produc...9;pcid1=;pcid2=

 

[Sime]

2 of them would be perfect, i use one and can't faut it. it's easy and simple... and pretty cheap

 

[jimbooo]

yep thats the one. they give out enough for 20L so you'll need 2 of them.

makes a HUGE difference to plant growth and essential with that much light.

 

[Sky042]

Well I guess I'll have to order up a pair after I order the lights.

 

[jimbooo]

thats the spirit, you may want to invest in a new pair of sissors!!

pruning out does water changes for pain in the backside factor. much more rewarding though.

good luck

 

[zig]

Dont forget if your lights have good reflectors your light level is going to be even higher, so co2 is a must, try and keep it at 25-30ppm for best results.

 

[George Farmer]

Your lighting sounds great for a planted setup.

However, to elaborate slightly on Jimbooo and zig's advice, I strongly recommend setting up and maintaining a constant 25-30ppm CO2 BEFORE turning your lights on for any period.

With that much light and CO2 you will need to plant heavily (minimum 50% of substrate covered) with fast-growers from the outset and get yourself some decent fertilisers otherwise algae will be a problem.

I too can recommend the Nutrafin systems. For a decent output you will need to add more yeast than the supplied sachets though. Dried bread making yeast is ideal. For more info on Nutrafin DIY recipes just ask.

Good luck.

 

[dartos]

Drs. Foster and Smith are having a sale on those systems right now. I bought 2 from the link you gave a week before this sale started.

Nutrafin CO2 for $16.09

 

[Sky042]

Your lighting sounds great for a planted setup.

However, to elaborate slightly on Jimbooo and zig's advice, I strongly recommend setting up and maintaining a constant 25-30ppm CO2 BEFORE turning your lights on for any period.

With that much light and CO2 you will need to plant heavily (minimum 50% of substrate covered) with fast-growers from the outset and get yourself some decent fertilisers otherwise algae will be a problem.

I too can recommend the Nutrafin systems. For a decent output you will need to add more yeast than the supplied sachets though. Dried bread making yeast is ideal. For more info on Nutrafin DIY recipes just ask.

Good luck.

Would it be better if I were to put things on a timer.
The light strip I'm looking at has individual feeds for each lamp.
So for example if part of the day was 65W then part 130 then part 65 would that be easier to manage?

Or would just a single 65W strip be better if I don't want to have to go nuts.

I mostly want to keep Java fern
Java Moss
Amazon Swords
Elodea
and maybe Valis(I think thats what it is. Tall thinish leaves)