75 gallon lighting and planting questions

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
t0p_sh0tta;2673648; said:
FWIW, the term low light is relative. I run 2 non CO2 injected tanks running 1.4wpg (T5NO) and 1.95wpg (T5HO) and both have had algae outbreaks. I've since started dosing dry ferts and using floating plants to cut down on these occurences.
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see, this is what i mean about using high intensity lights. even with less than 2wpg and co2, this guy still had algae problems. i have 2wpg of T5HO lights and im dealing with algae all the time. now imagine what it would be like if you ran these lights w/o co2?????

also, stay away from the dr. fosters stuff. its crap and way overpriced. go on ebay and get a milwaukee regulator. you could get a full setup for about $200
 
awesome guys, thanks so much for the clarification.

im going to go c02.

im also taking the xp3 and the ac110 off and replacing it with a FX5. which i should of done to begin with. i will actually save money going with that setup over the xp3 and ac110.


so again, what light setup would you reccomend to add up to about 2wpg so i can grow some swords and similar medium light plants. i dont know if i like the warmer light or the cooler looking light. i havent seen a side by side comparison. finding info on this seems very difficult, theres to many variables and to many ways to do it.

if i just jump in and start buying stuff ill wind up like i did with the filtration, spending more, and getting half as much.

just looking for a solid recommendation on what i should get. anybody got some pics of similar setups?
 
if youre going with pressurized co2, then spend the extra money and get a T5HO fixture. youll be glad you did because you have no limits when it comes to what plants you can grow. TRUST ME, youll always be changing things around in a planted tank.

take a look at this fixture i bought, its great. i wrote my review here. see post #25 http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48156&page=3

best of all, you get to mix and match the four bulbs. get two 6500k and two 10000k for the best color and plant growth. i only run two bulbs on my tank. i leave the other bank off so i can quickly turn on the lights when need be w/o messing with the timers
 
jcardona1;2674139; said:
see, this is what i mean about using high intensity lights. even with less than 2wpg and co2, this guy still had algae problems. i have 2wpg of T5HO lights and im dealing with algae all the time. now imagine what it would be like if you ran these lights w/o co2?????

also, stay away from the dr. fosters stuff. its crap and way overpriced. go on ebay and get a milwaukee regulator. you could get a full setup for about $200
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2wpg of t5 ho or cf of course is going to put out more light then 2wpg of shop lights. with lights like t5 ho and cf they are more efficient. you need less watts to get the same effect. you can still use high out put lights for low light tanks with out co2 you just use less of it. i run plenty of tanks with t5 ho and cf with out co2.
 
People believe the 6500k is a better spectrum for plant growth and the 10000k is better for asthetics. A mixture of both is a good medium, but there are plenty who also grow plants under 10000k alone.
 
awesome.

would the FX5 be to strong on a 75 for plant growth and c02? i plan on removing the xp3 and ac110 to put the fx5 on there. i just feel like the xp3 and ac110 arent enough. it wouldnt cost me anything to upgrade, i will return the xp3 for 190(plus tax) and the fx5 is only 200 on ebay shipped.

im planning on going with a Victor 450d 2 stage, fabco nv-55 needle valve, 10lb bottle, and a GLA 5000 diffuser. 2 10000k t5s and 2 6700 t5s.

hopefully it will turn out nice!
 
In my 29 planted ive got a common pleco and a convict and they do great. The convict loves munching on the ramhorn snails that infested my tank which is a nice bonus
 
MurderedOut;2681712; said:
awesome.

would the FX5 be to strong on a 75 for plant growth and c02? i plan on removing the xp3 and ac110 to put the fx5 on there. i just feel like the xp3 and ac110 arent enough. it wouldnt cost me anything to upgrade, i will return the xp3 for 190(plus tax) and the fx5 is only 200 on ebay shipped.

im planning on going with a Victor 450d 2 stage, fabco nv-55 needle valve, 10lb bottle, and a GLA 5000 diffuser. 2 10000k t5s and 2 6700 t5s.

hopefully it will turn out nice!
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Sounds good to me. The FX5 can be throttled back and flow is a good thing in a planted tank. The only thing that I would change is the diffuser. They tend not to work as well in larger tanks. You could save money and have better results with a CO2 reactor. There are tons of DIYs out there, such as this one. Greenleafaquariums is an excellent place to grab your dry ferts and other CO2 related equipment from though.

Good luck,
Lamar
 
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