Light Reflectors?

[blackers92]

Hi Guys

I currently have 48 Watts of T5HO over 37 Gallons, one 10,000K and 6,500K bulb. I am considering buying reflectors as my pygmy chain sword is looking a little underwhelming (yet still sending out runners) Is it a worthy upgrade?

I consider my tank low tech, I have basic plants such as anubias, java fern, amazon swords, crypts and sunset hygro. I currently get a bit of GSA which I presume is due to the lighting, will reflectors make this worse? I am going to begin dosing Seachem Phosphorus to alleviate the problem.

Is it worth my hard earnt cash?

Cheers

Adam

 

[BigbruiserAl]

I just spent £8 on one and to me it has do nothing, could have got a jumbo kebab for that

 

[ian]

Its not all about the light, Blackers. I would edge my bets that your Chain sword needs some C02 addition, due to your lighting. Adding a reflector may add to your problems. Have you got any pics of the chain sword?

 

[blackers92]

hrmm a jumbo kebab is tempting

The lights are off at the moment but I will turn them on and get a photo, I dose liquid carbon daily, I thought pressurized CO2 would be wasted with such low lighting though?

 

[ian]

It not that low light, you're running T5HO. They are high output bulbs, you cannot really add the WPG rule to them. If they where T5NO then that would be different. Who knows what WPG that is over your tank, maybe 2wpg, maybe as much as 3wpg. Nobody has really tested T5HO against other bulbs when it come to WPG. When you get a pic we'll be able to ID the problem with the plant.

 

[blackers92]

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two images for you guys to scrutinize



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as you can see some plants are sending out shoots pretty rapidly. They seem to be yellow, the came yellow i thought it would die off and go green, there is a little bit of GSA? algae on it too

 

[StandbySetting]

The pale yellowness of the leaves would indicate a lack of CO2, you have a lot of light over your tank, and light is the limiting factor when it comes to plants, you could reduce your photo period or the intensity of the light or you could try adding CO2, it is up to you.

 

[blackers92]

well I have wanted to use ACTUAL co2 for a long time.

Is it really equivalent to 2wpg or higher? I figured it would be like 1.5. I have read through alot of forums about how powerful T5HO really is and there really isn't a definitive answer

this changes alot, maybe the mountain bike will be put on hold for a while

 

[StandbySetting]

You have 48 Watts of 37 Gallons, this gives you 1.3 W/G but the WPG rule is based on the old T12's which have a much lower output than the T5's, so you do you have quite a lot of light over your tank, which in my opinion requires CO2.

 

[blackers92]

Do you think that I would be able to grow HC, Glosso other more demanding plants with the addition of CO2?

Im actually so excited now, I might do a complete rescape

 

[StandbySetting]

Definitely, you could grow anything with that amount of light, just ensure that your flow is good as to distribute CO2 and nutrients well.

 

[blackers92]

I may need to upgrade to an external filter then as my inbuilt one is fairly weak. Or perhaps a powerhead

This is awesome news

 

[ian]

i also agree with all the above.

Rescape time Blackers, just make sure you start a journal in the planted section.

 

[blackers92]

this is great news,

hrmm what to scape? Iwagumi? Jungle (whole bunch of needle leave) or ditch the ferns all together ? the possibilities are endless.

Do I ditch the fluorite and get ADA Amazonia?

Driftwood or Rocks?


Goodbye mountain bike haha

 

[blackers92]

hmm I posted a topic on a local forum about CO2 and they absolutely tried to shut me down , talking about how beginners should not use CO2 and how I should take care of my tank, fertilizers (LOL), livestock, lighting etc.

Treated me like a noob, probably because my post count was about 12

im not a pro but god im not a noob either lmao