Ok I have an Idea on how to set up the lighting on my 600 for a planted 600! Just thought I'd get some opinions here. Tank Dimensions are 96Lx48wx2.5H I only plan on a few types of low maintenance US native plants like Vallisneria gigantea. Since I have such a large tank I know the WPG is out the window, But I was told once that using screw in compact fluorescent bulbs with a bell shaped reflector will work to "spotlight" the areas that you want the plant growth in. I was thinking 5 of these Bulbs staggered over the tank like this:
And then setting up 3 timers as follows:
Bulb 3 on timer 1
Bulbs 1 and 5 on timer 2
bulbs 2 and 4 on timer 3
Then starting at about 7am bulb 3 comes on, followed at 9am or so bulbs 1 and 5 turn on and finally 1pm bulbs 2 and 4 come on. Then as the day goes on reversing the order begining at around 5-6 pm with the lights going off in reverse order trying to simulate the natural sunrise and sunset. This way I hope to get good plant growth and try to limit algae growth. The reason for those bulbs if from this Sticky using that formula I get about a 160 med-high light.
Now a few more questions.
1) Is this to much light for a tank that will be mostly Vallisneria.
2) Will I need Co2?
3) should I use fewer SHO bulbs along with some other type of lights to simulate sunrise/sunset?
And then setting up 3 timers as follows:
Bulb 3 on timer 1
Bulbs 1 and 5 on timer 2
bulbs 2 and 4 on timer 3
Then starting at about 7am bulb 3 comes on, followed at 9am or so bulbs 1 and 5 turn on and finally 1pm bulbs 2 and 4 come on. Then as the day goes on reversing the order begining at around 5-6 pm with the lights going off in reverse order trying to simulate the natural sunrise and sunset. This way I hope to get good plant growth and try to limit algae growth. The reason for those bulbs if from this Sticky using that formula I get about a 160 med-high light.
Now a few more questions.
1) Is this to much light for a tank that will be mostly Vallisneria.
2) Will I need Co2?
3) should I use fewer SHO bulbs along with some other type of lights to simulate sunrise/sunset?
