lighting help

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
M

MChorse13

Gambusia
MFK Member
May 8, 2010
324
1
16
california
i have a 4 foot shop light for my 55 g tank i want to get some plants in it(my tank is lame) so i got a two of the ge aquarium and plant florescent tubes will it work for low light plants without co2 i have to much surface agitation to use it plus im getting a general idea is that i don't really need it for low light plants right? im pretty sure fertilizer would help to so if anyone can suggest some to use that would be great
any help is appreciated thanks in advance -Eddie

link to bulbs http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/ProductDetails.aspx?SKU=35637&SessionExpired=True
 
Should be sufficient for low-light and maybe some moderate-light plants. Light and CO2 will be your limiting factors, not nutrients, so adding fertilizer is asking for an algae mess. You can always use Flourish Excel to supplement carbon if you don't want to inject CO2.
 
im not sure i get what you mean by supplementing carbon does that mean i have to take the carbon out of my filter and use flourish excel?
 
No no. Flourish Excel is meant to accomplish the same thing as injecting CO2. Has nothing to do with the carbon in the filter.
 
I use excel with my injected co2 and I love it. IMO Flourish has every additive you could need =]
i would say a plants worst nightmare is your fish burrowing by their roots. What kind of fish are you keeping now? you may have to put big rocks around the roots to keep your fish at bay.
i would suggest another 4' shop-light if you are serious, I have a 3 bulb t8 shop-light on my 75G and its just about adequate. i will be adding another 2 bulbs if i replant.
~LiquiD~
 
Lights and co2 are the two most important things. You at the very least need the excel. All beginning planters should have that because it will keep you in the hobby when you have your first algae problem.

You should still take the carbon out of your filter...most guys just use mechanical, some including myself use purigen. Either way, no more carbon.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom