I don't understand the lighting caluculations

[negative_tea]

Yes, but you're better off ditching the HOB filters, because the surface agitation they create is going to dissipate the co2 out of the water column. Get a canister.

Are air stones disruptive to co2 levels as well?

 

[jcardona1]

high light doesnt need co2 but it helps. if u have too much light u need ferts at least. other wise ur gonna get a huge algae bloom

This isn't true. When running what is considered "high" light levels, co2/ferts beecome a requirement, not an option. Low to medium, co2/ferts are not needed.

 

[negative_tea]

This isn't true. When running what is considered "high" light levels, co2/ferts beecome a requirement, not an option. Low to medium, co2/ferts are not needed.

See, my problem is I can't figure out if the amount of light I have would be considered "High" Light levels or not....I would love to grow out a tank as heavily planted as the one you posted on the CO2 thread but I do not understand how I am supposed to know how much light is enough light.

 

[jcardona1]

Have you seen my posts in the Lighting sticky regarding tank height and PAR? Really easy, there's no calculations needed.

 

[negative_tea]

Have you seen my posts in the Lighting sticky regarding tank height and PAR? Really easy, there's no calculations needed.

I just looked again...Let me see if I am right here. With three CF lights at 20 inches I will have 140 PAR?

SO, I have too much light then right?

Sorry, I am a bit confused because that doesn't seem right I thought if anything I would not have enough light.

 

[jcardona1]

I just looked again...Let me see if I am right here. With three CF lights at 20 inches I will have 140 PAR?

SO, I have too much light then right?

Sorry, I am a bit confused because that doesn't seem right I thought if anything I would not have enough light.

Kinda.

The calculations were done with an AH Supply PC reflector, which are superior reflectors. Any other brand of PC fixture will almost always have a crappy reflector that won't put out a lot of light. So you're in one of those situations where you can use this as a rough guide, but keep in mind you will NOT have as much light as that graph suggests.

Also, this is a 55g tank right? You have 3 PC bulbs that go from end-to-end?

 

[zabelkid]

in a normal circumstance its probably better to start out with something smaller and easier plants. but you will learn quickly, and be able to tell if somethings wrong fairly quickly. try to avoid algae at all costs. good luck

 

[negative_tea]

Kinda.

The calculations were done with an AH Supply PC reflector, which are superior reflectors. Any other brand of PC fixture will almost always have a crappy reflector that won't put out a lot of light. So you're in one of those situations where you can use this as a rough guide, but keep in mind you will NOT have as much light as that graph suggests.

Also, this is a 55g tank right? You have 3 PC bulbs that go from end-to-end?

It's a 75 gallon tank and I took some photos of the lights. Here they are.

 

[negative_tea]

Ah, I typed that out wrong above I would have 120 PAR with the three lights going. So, with all four 160....Unless, like I assume my understanding is completely off. which it could be. I would be the fist to admit I have no idea what I'm doing.

I bought all of this stuff off of a guy whose friend moved to South America. I bought the tank, filters, co2 canisters, the lights pictured, another light fixture with light (48"), a set of lids for a 75 gallon tank (with 2 lights, an actinic light with fixture, all finds of flakes food, pellets, decor, stand etc. for 200.

So, I'm just trying to figure out if what I have can do what I want.

 

[jcardona1]

Ok I see. You would essentially have TWO bulbs across the whole tank if you turn them all on, not four. The important thing to note in the PAR charts it's that we're assuming the bulb spans the entire length of the tank. So it's wrong to calculate your total PAR by four bulbs. It needs to be at two bulbs, since that is what is spanning the whole tank.

Does that make sense?