Lighting With Co2

[SLIM]

Hi

As some of you may or may not know, im getting ready to install a pressurised CO2 system to my tank in the next week or 2.
After a little reading im a little unsure if my lighting is strong enough for co2 injection.
I dont really get the whole Watts per gallon rule.

My tank is 260L and i have 2X 39W T5s. 8 hour photo period.
Is this ok or do i need stronger lighting if im going to use co2?

Thanx

 

[Ps3Steveo]

You can use CO2 on low lighting providing you don't overdose your tank with it, get a drop checker so you know your injecting the correct amount. Make sure if your using CO2 that your dosing some ferts tho.

Low lighting with no CO2 and no ferts is fine but adding CO2 means you need to add ferts as the plants will grow faster using CO2 but will also need the extra ferts to do this.

Anyway your lighting is fine, the wpg rule doesn't really apply to you it's more of a guide line and your lighting is low - medium. I use CO2 and ferts in my low tech tank and it's lighting is similar to yours.

 

[SLIM]

Im already dosing ferts, I use the full easylife range. If I wanted to upgrade my lighting for when I have co2, what would be the ideal total wattage for 260L?

 

[ian]

I would stick where you are Paul. You can grow pretty much anything with what you have. I'm running 2x 28w T5s on my 190ltr and am really happy with that, i wouldn't take it any higher, there isn't any point. You'd be using around the same amount of light i use. It is becoming/become another myth that you need 'high light' to grow plants. You only have to look in the journal section to see what lighting people are using and what they are growing.

When going into the higher light your leaving more room for error when it comes to doing ferts and C02. The demand becomes more on the CO2 and ferts, things need to be more 'tweaked' (if you get me).

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Scaring me now ian shhhhhh, I'm going with 220watts over 120gals and getting worried lol

 

[SLIM]

I would stick where you are Paul. You can grow pretty much anything with what you have. I'm running 2x 28w T5s on my 190ltr and am really happy with that, i wouldn't take it any higher, there isn't any point. You'd be using around the same amount of light i use. It is becoming/become another myth that you need 'high light' to grow plants. You only have to look in the journal section to see what lighting people are using and what they are growing.

When going into the higher light your leaving more room for error when it comes to doing ferts and C02. The demand becomes more on the CO2 and ferts, things need to be more 'tweaked' (if you get me).

Thank you for the Great advice mate im definately going to take it and stick with what i have.
Can i ask tho, with your 2 28w T5s in your 190L, do you get pearling? (assuming you use CO2)

 

[ian]

yes, i do get pearling. However, you have to take into accounts that plants need more than just C02 to pearl. You'll need a balance of all nutrients to get the pearl.

 

[SLIM]

Well i dose with nitrates phosphates iron and potassium at the mo along with ordinary ferts but wen they run out I think im going to use EI with dry ferts.

 

[SLIM]

As a matter of fact, can anybody recommend a good site for dry ferts?

 

[ian]

http/www.aquariumplantfood.co.uk/

John, who owns the site is very helpful, he will email straight away and if you're stuck at all will help out.

 

[SLIM]

http/www.aquariumplantfood.co.uk/

John, who owns the site is very helpful, he will email straight away and if you're stuck at all will help out.

Fantastic, just what i was looking for! Thanx again