A Couple Questions about Lights and Substrate.

[Nomi]

I'm getting my 75G all ready to start up and plant, but I do have a few questions.

First off, my lights have me a it confused. Right now I've got a 48" AquaticLife dual-lamp T5-HO, one 6,000K lamp and one roseate lamp. Now, this may be a noobish question, but what on earth is a roseate lamp? From what the internet tells me, it is a colour-enhancer and is 650nm. How does that translate to lumens?

And, with that information in mind, do you think I should supplement Co2?

Finally, what do you think is the best substrate to use?

Thank you for any answers or info, and for your time!

 

[JasonG75]

roseate lamp? I have never heard of that term, at first I was thinking it was another name for Actinic bulb but after reading I don't think so anymore.


"And, with that information in mind, do you think I should supplement Co2?" that's really hard to say. I am going to say that your 1 6000k is 54W is that correct?

Best substrate for a 75gallon would be either Sterilized Playsand or Pool Filter Sand

 

[SCGeordie]

The 650nm Roseate - "Light closely matches the chlorophyll absorption peak in the red spectrum to enhance plant growth. Use with 6,000K lamps." looks like you have the best combination for a dual fixture. As you're using T5HO I would say you will definitely need to go with C02 also.
You may need to play with the height of your light above the tank to get the best results, JCardona1's table posted in the sticky http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73446
is a very good guide and the thread has a load of good info for lighting planted tanks.

As for substrate I think it's more personal preference than what's right, I never seem to be able to get plants to root in sand and don't like the idea of having to disturb any root system that does develop by sticking plant tabs in every 3 months, so I go for the Caribsea 'Flora-max' it's more expensive but provides the nutrients needed and because it's a little heavier it's easier to 'set' the plants into.

 

[Nomi]

Thank you both!

Glad to know I'm not so out of the loop for not encountering a roseate lamp before. I read that sticky (or, at least, tried to). I'm not sure how to factor in the roseate into that equation. Ah, math never was my strong suit, that is why I'm in animation.

I've only ever used Co2 before on small (10G) tanks, and then I did it the DIY way. Or what I liked to call the "Didn't I do this is elementary to make a volcano" method. I don't know how feasible this would be on a 75G. What would be the best method for a starving art/animation student?

And what about a mix (or layering) of play/filter sand and a heavier 'aquatic plant' substrate? Right now I have no preferance, but I would like to be able to plant HC, glosso or/and dwarf hairgrass in the foreground.

 

[Laticauda]

Can't speak to lighting, since I just use cheap lights that I find, lol.

Anyway, as for substrate, I have heard that using sand will compact and crush stemmed plants.

I use top soil (about 2-3") then pea gravel over top of it (1".)

 

[Burto]

Hemianthus calitrichoides and Glossostigma I don't know about, but I've had great success growing hair grass and Hemianthus micranthemoides in plain inert sand, with DIY CO2 and no additional fertilizer.