125 Gallon High Tech Planting Tips?

[WyldFya]

Yea you can change the bulbs on the 72 inch jebo, thinking this might be a T12..more info on the light fixture would help.

On the coralife that A bulb (Actinic) Trash it..and change it to a 10K

Keep the lids on UNLESS you want plant to eventually rise to the surface and grow OUT emersed.

With glass lids, plant growth is reduced, without glass lids, plant growth increases. Reflection is not good.

 

[WyldFya]

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=304437

Maybe take the time to read this?

Reaction CO2 is not very effective on any tank over 40 gallons. It is not cost effective for any high light tank.

 

[WyldFya]

OK here you go ...

The startup cost of Co2 is a little expensive but if done in a thrify manner can save you some money.

Regulator

Not the top of the line but a great starter regulator, comes with Co2 tubing, FREE SHIPPING, bubble counter and solenoid $86.00
http://www.water-testers.com/content...regulator.html

Now you need something to house the co2 gasses (cylinder) I would recommend a 10lb since this is for a 125gal. $80.00
http://www.aquariumplants.com/Alumin..._Tanks_p/t.htm

Now you need a co2 Diffuser. $15.00

http://cgi.ebay.com/S3-CO2-Diffuser-...item3a4c8bae23


Now you have to determine how much Co2 you're getting into your tank and that's where a Drop Checker comes into play, along with calibrated 4dKH solution.

Drop checker - $15
http://cgi.ebay.com/Drop-Checker-Tes...item3a5ad7b341


4dKH Solution - $8.00

http://cgi.ebay.com/4-dKH-Reference-...item35af3c582f



The expensive this is going to be your lighting, since it is 72" it is rather pricey.
You could go with 2 36"
Maybe 2 of these
http://www.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-36in-2x39W-T5-Aquarium-Lighting-p/52122p.htm

Or this one...Just replace the Actinic bulb with a 10,000k

http://cgi.ebay.com/72-T5-HO-Aquari...118?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb4bbb88e


But this is (if I had the money) would be one I'd get.
http://cgi.ebay.com/72-Aquarium-Lig...044?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c5a2ec6ec


Hope this helps, if you have any questions don't hesitate to POP IN.


OH yea I almost forgot about refilling. Most welding supplys around me wants you to lease one of their tanks. So you will need to call around to find out if any REFILL YOUR TANK. Now call some fire extinguisher companies in your area, those that specifically REFILL extinguisher. I have one in my area and he ALSO refills co2 cylinders. I have a 5lb bottle and it cost $14.75 to refill it. It last me about 4 months.

HO T5 is the way to go. The first fixture is not one I recommend using. The second fixture is not HO, which makes it a waste of time for intense lighting. Finally, 10,000K lighting does not produce growth anywhere near as vibrant, nor as large as a 6,500-6,700K bulb will.

 

[WyldFya]

Hey guys, if any of you have planted a large tank such as a 125 gallon for high tech-plants, can you guys give me links of the equipment you guys use? I plan on creating one with my tank and I want to know what the best equipment for it would be. It's a 6 ft. 125 gallon tank (dont know exact dimensions) that would need CO2 and strong lighting.

It would be awesome if you guys could give me a list of:
-Lights you use + bulbs
-CO2 kits
-substrates
-fertilizers

I plan on growing a thick forest-like aquascape with HC as a carpet.
No fish will go in there besides a few cardinal tetras and SAEs. Maybe red cherry shrimps too. Thanks!

I would start with reading the stickies. Definitely go pressurized co2. For lighting go with either HO T5, MH, or HO LED. I have always had the best growth using 6,700K bulbs. Use dry ferts, as you will be dosing quite a bit. For a substrate, I use 2 types generally, seachem flourite, or ADA aquasoil.

 

[RianS]

just my 2 cents but when i first started pressurized co2
I had the ma957 regulator and the bubble count was never steady.
I ended up buying a three way manifold from GLA and those needle valves worked out a lot better.
That might be something for you to consider since you want want to use 2 diffusers or you could always build your own regulator.

 

[JasonG75]

Finally, 10,000K lighting does not produce growth anywhere near as vibrant, nor as large as a 6,500-6,700K bulb will.

This has been DEBUNKED countless times. Anything between 6500K and 10,000K is sufficient. Some don't like the hue the 6500-6700 puts off YELLOWISH, I like the whiter light the 10K putts off.

For a substrate, I use 2 types generally, seachem flourite, or ADA aquasoil.

You realized you would probably be dropping close to $200.00 for a 125gallon tank. I only recommend using planted substrates on tanks less than 40 gallons. Again UNLE$$ you just have money sitting around. 3 50lbs bags of playsand or pool filter sand would cost less than $20.00. UMMM $20.00 or $200.00 ....DECISIONS !!!

I had the ma957 regulator and the bubble count was never steady.

I will agree with this comment...The word Steady and ma957 should never be mentioned in the same sentence. It is not steady, but it is a great stepping stone into the Co2 World. When you have outgrown the Ma957 and you are still serious about a presurized system then look into the Dual Stage Regulators and put one together yourself. You can always sell the Ma957 to a noob who is just starting out themselves.

 

[FLESHY]

Photosynthesis efficiency peaking at the 6000's range is something that I still firmly believe in, and I would like to see the scientific study that "debunks" it.

That being said, 10k works perfectly fine for most, and does produce a much more pleasant light.

 

[Will@FSA]

Go Profilux 3, and get some weather going in there. Great controller.

 

[WyldFya]

This has been DEBUNKED countless times. Anything between 6500K and 10,000K is sufficient. Some don't like the hue the 6500-6700 puts off YELLOWISH, I like the whiter light the 10K putts off.




You realized you would probably be dropping close to $200.00 for a 125gallon tank. I only recommend using planted substrates on tanks less than 40 gallons. Again UNLE$$ you just have money sitting around. 3 50lbs bags of playsand or pool filter sand would cost less than $20.00. UMMM $20.00 or $200.00 ....DECISIONS !!!



I will agree with this comment...The word Steady and ma957 should never be mentioned in the same sentence. It is not steady, but it is a great stepping stone into the Co2 World. When you have outgrown the Ma957 and you are still serious about a presurized system then look into the Dual Stage Regulators and put one together yourself. You can always sell the Ma957 to a noob who is just starting out themselves.

It has never been "debunked" it has been stated, but not proven. I have always had better growth, color, and size using a lower kelvin bulb. As to the substrate, if you are scoffing at $180, then you have no place setting up a large high tech planted tank.

 

[JasonG75]

I have always had better growth, color, and size using a lower kelvin bulb. As to the substrate, if you are scoffing at $180, then you have no place setting up a large high tech planted tank.

I have never had any plants that didn't do extremely well in both lights (6700K & 10K) After someone told me the same thing I switched. You can do your own research like I did when I didn't believe what was told to me. With proper lighting, proper Fertz and co2 I get the same results as I did before the switch.

Some have money, some have more than others and some have more than sense. So putting something that cost 180.00 that will eventually RUN OUT, well it just isn't very smart. Root tabs cost $10, so I will stick with my PFS and laughing all the way to the bank. Just because one has money to do somthing doesnt mean there aren't other ways to do it CHEAPER.