Setting Up A 180l Planted Tank.

[Slyspy]

Hi there. After years of running a small tank I've decided to upgrade to a juwel 180l tank and intend to plant it fairly heavily since I've had so much fun experimenting (with success) with my old 30l tank. However for a project of this size I need some advice please:

The tank comes with 2*45W High-Lite T5, giving just under 2WPG. I'll obviously be installing reflectors as well.

Since I'd like to try a greater variety of plant I've been thinking that using additional lights would be a good idea. However since I can't afford a pressurized CO2 system I'll be using EasyCarbo or, failing that, yeast based CO2.

I was thinking of adding one or two 39W arcadia plant pro tubes (space permitting) taking the tank to either about 2.5WPG or 3.5WPG.

I'm a bit concerned that if I add too much light (eg another two tubes) this will not system will not have enough CO2 while if I added a single extra tube that I will have uneven light coverage, but maybe a more managable set up.

Any advice gratefully received!

 

[Underwurlde]

>2WPG, defo CO2, but the trick is to keep it STABLE. You'll also need to use EI techniques.

Personally, as is, I think you have enough lighting.


Andy

 

[fish.com1]

As above with stable c02 and el dosing you will be fine with 2wpg T5 lighting. Save up for a pressurized or buy a second hand one or go the fe route, because pressurized is much more stable than yeast.

 

[Underwurlde]

^ you can run 2 DIY yeast kits in parallel, changing the mix alternatively.... but it's a pain in the ar...se

Andy

 

[Slyspy]

Thanks for the advice. I'll stick with the default lighting and put the money saved towards some kind of CO2 kit in the future.

 

[Slyspy]

Another question:

I was thinking about using a plant substrate (or at least one other ones you put gravel on top of). In this case is EI the best way to fertilize on ma regular basis or would products like TPN be better?

 

[keenonfish]

I have pretty much the same setup as you mate and opted for E.I. & yeast CO2. No ferts in the sub just gravel I have seen quick growth with my Hygros and all my valis are producing runners. My micranthemum and cabomba lookalikes (sorry can't remember the name) are growing quite quickly too. My Rotalas produced lots of roots but no growth for some reason I think I need to up the gh and perhaps improve flow to this area of the tank. I posted pics a while back...

I have had problems with my co2 setup with leaky pipes etc.. this is the biggest problem with DIY but if you persevere I am sure it can work long term. I think I am getting on top of this now. Also about three times a week I disconnect the pipes after lights out and do a bubble check when either bottle starts slowing down I prepare a new bottle and let it get to full steam over a few days and then swap em over. They seem to be lasting well over two weeks atm!

Algae after 4 weeks is virtually zero. Small amounts of hair algae here and there which I am looking to get a CUC for and tiny traces of GSA which is hard to find. I only remove to stop it becoming difficult. Not bad for a 600ltr/hr pump in a 180 litre tank

I am not an expert and this is my first experience with plants but things seem to be going ok. When I can afford to I will go the pressurized CO2 route as I think it could be cheaper in the long run but for now it is pop bottles and sugar for my tank

Good luck