Possible Lighting Problem ..........!

[Malfie]

Hi. Wondered if anyone can help ?
I set up the tank only 7 days ago. It's a 60 ltr tank with the 15w lighting tube it came with.
I have a 2cm layer of gravel with aquatic compost mixed in with a layer of just gravel on top.
I have added some liquid fertilizer to get the plants going and I have ordered one of those yeast co2 things often talked about on this forum.
Tested my water on Thursday and both Nitrate and Nitrite were present but ammonia was absent.
I have been reading the forum most nights (I must get out more!) and it has helped so much, but the more I read the more worried I get.
I think I have calculated that my lighting will be about 1 watt per US gallon; I think I need more. Do I ?
The lighting tube is a Tetratec AL 15W.

While I am here might as well mention that I've added Nitrate minus and added Bactozym to the filter.

Any help would be very much appreciated. So enjoying my first set up and I don't even have fish yet !

 

[nukeonekitty]

That is low lighting but all the means is your plants wont grow as quickly as they would if they had more watts... do wait for another opinion though.

 

[Underwurlde]

Hello!

Q) What plants have you got in there?
Q) Is the tank in direct sunlight?

If you are adding CO2, definately more lighting, at least double what you have now....

GL

Andy

 

[Lucylou]

Hi, I think I've got the same tank as you. I got mine about a month ago, still cycling it, fishless of course.
I have got some easy growing java fern, and some Java moss. They do ok with low light.
Yes It is 1 wpg.
Do you think we could just replace with a higher watt bulb?
I have also used Bactozyme, 3 times, but I don't think its had much affect.
are you adding pure Ammoina to get Nitrite and Nitrate?
I like you tank, heres mine

 

[Underwurlde]

I think those standard flourescents come with a standard wattage. I could be wrong, but I couldn't find any alternatives in the shops. In other words, if you try looking to just replace it, they'll all be the same wattage (you can't get lower, you can't get higher).

I found I had to actually add another one, & this meant DIYing a second one in there!

Andy

 

[Malfie]

Hello there.
First of all thank you for all of your replies.

Can't really tell you what plants I have as they came as a mixed bunch, but I have added one Java Fern and a species of Ophiopogon.

One of you mentioned that if I were to add CO2 then I need more light ; so I guess you are saying that if I stay with 15w I shouldn't use my CO2 thing and that my plants would be slower growing ?

I would love a really lush looking tank so I guess I shall have to add another light to the hood which sounds very dangerous to me being a bit of a 'divvy' where DIY is concerned.

Someone mentioned about direct light. The tank is about 6 foot away from an east facing window so WHEN the sun is out it will get a bit of extra light. Will this change anything and please don't scare me with algae stories as the tank really looks good where it is !

Thanks.
Awaiting any replies.
malfie

 

[Underwurlde]

One of you mentioned that if I were to add CO2 then I need more light ; so I guess you are saying that if I stay with 15w I shouldn't use my CO2 thing and that my plants would be slower growing ?

Yep.

I would love a really lush looking tank so I guess I shall have to add another light to the hood which sounds very dangerous to me being a bit of a 'divvy' where DIY is concerned.

It's not 'easy' to do IMHO.

Someone mentioned about direct light. The tank is about 6 foot away from an east facing window so WHEN the sun is out it will get a bit of extra light. Will this change anything and please don't scare me with algae stories as the tank really looks good where it is !

I was talking about direct sunlight, i.e. next to a window. 6ft away is fine. In a window = algae.

Andy

 

[Malfie]

Thank you Andy.
I think I rushed in a little by getting a Tetra Aqua Art 60 ltr tank.

I should have done my homework. Found out now that there are several plant species that like low light levels, but already set up the tank.

Think I will visit some pet shops tomorrow as it's my day off and see if I can pick up a new light. Hope they can assist me and give help on attaching it to my tank's hood.

It would be so much easier if I could just replace the tube with a higher wattage ! Sounds so easy, doesn't it ?

Are you guys sure I can't do that ?
Just been trawling the net and lighting tubes are a BIG subject. Beginning to think I ought to buy a gerbil instead.
As I mentioned I have bought the CO2 thing so I ought to use it.
Yep I think I will look into getting a new light !!!!! ?
Thanks again.

Malfie.

 

[mark.w.jones]

The red and green one back right is Rotala wallichii. Died like anybodies business in my tank which is lowlight and no CO2.

 

[Underwurlde]

And if my eyes don't decieve me, the green & white striped plant next to it is not an aquatic species (although sometimes it is sold as such) ???

Andy

 

[Malfie]

Good evening fish lovers.
Just spent the day trawling pet shops and the net for a new lighting system for my tank.

The way Tetratec have designed the hood means I only have about 20" to play with, which means I am quite limited.
I did find something that caught my eye, which was an 'Interpret High Power T5 Compact lighting Starter Kit'.
I think it will do the biz, do you ?

You can get tubes that are 16" which is perfect and you can get tubes of all different wave lenghs etc, but I will go for either the 36W Daylight Plus or the 36W Triplus (which sounds very posh!).

I see the kit comes with screws and clips, but is it that simple ? Frightened of fried fish et al !
Do they need to be in a waterproof case or something as my hood is always covered in condensation in the morning as I don't have my room heating on through the night.

Would love some comments before I proceed.

Mark.

 

[Underwurlde]

Interpret High Power T5 Compact lighting Starter Kit'.
I think it will do the biz, do you ?

Yes, using those kind of lights is 'the biz'. But remember you'll have to loose your cover and thus the lighting won't be contained. I think that would do my head in but it depends where it is. I think they are more expensive but a hell of a lot more easier to use and a damn sight more flexible. They will also provide easier access to your tank as the cover is now gone (along with any lighting you had).

I see the kit comes with screws and clips, but is it that simple ? Frightened of fried fish et al !
No.
This is just for mounting the bulb. You still need a reflector - position that FIRST then work out where the clips go, drill some holes (in your cover potentially friggin it) then bolt it in place. I assume you have some 3mm countersunk bolts to hand? The clips hold the reflector in place.

Do they need to be in a waterproof case or something as my hood is always covered in condensation in the morning as I don't have my room heating on through the night.
Nope

Once the bulbs are in place you then convert mains into a flourescent light bulb supply using a transformer. The transformer will have two IP67 rated caps for both ends of the bulb - this provides adequate environmental sealing for its position. Then you have to worry about routing those two wires from either end of the bulb, out ot the transformer. Don't forget gravity will be against you so you have to hold them against the roof of the cover somehow.

Like I said, not 'easy'. I am an electronics engineer with all awkward bits to hand and I found it a pain in the arse to do 'properly'

Andy

 

[Malfie]

Thanks again Andy for you quick reply.

This whole thing is beginning to do my head in..........!

Why can't I just remove my light and bolt a reflector to the hood and then attach the new light to that ?

Do I really have to have light spilling out all over the room if I have to get rid of the existing hood ?

All I want is a tank filled with plants and bleedin' fish !!!!!


Help .................. ?

Mark

 

[Sammie7]

As to figuring out what kind of plants you have, it does make a difference, I think I can help a bit. First off you have what looks to be a ribbon plant( second from the right, with white outer bands ), which is not aquatic and will die. The lighter green plant in the middle with the elongated leaves is definately a java fern, and does well with little fertilizers and low light. The little round ball type plant is either a moss ball or an algae ball composed of cladophora, I'm not sure if it is the same thing and people confuse the names. You should roll it from time to time, so each side gets adequate light. The tall plant on the far left looks like cambomba, which needs high light. The one to the right of that, with the broad leaves, looks like some type of sword plant. I'm not too sure about the other ones, but good luck. Oh yeah, you should probably separate the red stem plant in the back, as the part of the plant that doesn't get light will drop its leaves. Place the stems about one inch away from each other. Also a good reflector will help loads in the way of getting all useable light into the tank.

 

[Underwurlde]

Why can't I just remove my light and bolt a reflector to the hood and then attach the new light to that ?

Just to make sure: You are ADDING another light. You bolt the clips into the lid, this then holds the reflector and the flourescent snaps into the clips. Your existing light should already have a reflector with it.

Do I really have to have light spilling out all over the room if I have to get rid of the existing hood ?

I am not entirely sure about the light tort these type of lights create as I don't use one myself. I think they may be quite directional, but like I said it depends on you & where the tank is placed. Mine is next to my PC and just at that could-be-annoying-if-it-weren't-for-the-cover height.

If I were in your shoes I'd get one of these lights. You therefore loose your cover which means that you may have problems with certain fish jumping out and espcially shrimp - they are unbelievable escape artisits!

All I want is a tank filled with plants and bleedin' fish !!!!!

Yeah. Tell me about it. In the past 6-months I've had to take a crash course in bio-chemistry (by soaking up the info in this forum & on-line). I suggest you may like to research the 'Estimative Index'....

Andy