Lighting, how do (should) I upgrade?

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

Moloch

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Sep 8, 2010
884
0
0
Raleigh, NC
If I understand the sticky right, I'm at about 10 micromols of PAR? 65g tank, lights probably about 20" off the substrate, maybe even more, and its a 30watt t8 aqua-life (18k) bulb.

I've already put a few different plants in the tank and I really like the look of having them in there, what would be the necessary upgrade to maintain some plants?

I need to keep it low-cost (<100$ if possible). I don't think I need to get all the way to the HIGH lighting regions, just enough to maintain some sort of plants (particularly those I can attach to driftwood). I don't want to go so far as having a carpet type plant yet...I think they look pretty cool but I'd rather take baby steps and I like the look of my sand...don't want to cover it all up:grinno:

So basically... what would i need? So far I've been looking at T5HO fixtures with 2 bulbs, I've found 2 that are pretty well in my pricerange...
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/252155/product.web
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/209627/product.web

Anything better?
 
Cool...if I guesstimate that they'll sit 25" above my substrate (and even then...a good number of my plants I think will be closer to the middle/top of the tank) and I go with a 2 bulb t5ho fixture, thats 80 m/PAR which should be plenty for me?
 
Moloch;4582429;4582429 said:
Cool...if I guesstimate that they'll sit 25" above my substrate (and even then...a good number of my plants I think will be closer to the middle/top of the tank) and I go with a 2 bulb t5ho fixture, thats 80 m/PAR which should be plenty for me?
Click to expand...
Yes, provided you're also adding co2/ferts. I'm running two T5HO bulbs 28" above the tank, and getting about 50 micromols at the substate. Even with co2/ferts, I get occasional algae. You'd be surprised how little light freshwater plants really need.
 
For no co2, I'd stick with either PC, or just raise the fixture like 3ft above the tank!
 
So I'd want LESS light with no c02? I guess you're implying that with that much light, but not enough other nutrient for the plants to take advantage of the lights, algae will sprout to soak the rest of it up?

Buying a t5 ballast for my current (t8-t12) fixture wouldn't work because of heat right? Now I'm at a loss on how to get enough light to maintain some basic plants without c02 & fertilizer...
 
Moloch;4582505;4582505 said:
So I'd want LESS light with no c02? I guess you're implying that with that much light, but not enough other nutrient for the plants to take advantage of the lights, algae will sprout to soak the rest of it up?

Buying a t5 ballast for my current (t8-t12) fixture wouldn't work because of heat right? Now I'm at a loss on how to get enough light to maintain some basic plants without c02 & fertilizer...
Click to expand...
Exactly. A planted tank is a delicate balance. It all starts with lighting. The more light you have, the faster your forcing the plants to go through photosynthesis. Photosynthesis requires co2 and ferts/nutrients. If you can't and don't provide co2/ferts, the plants quickly suffer and algae takes over, destroying the tank. And when you have a lot of light, you NEED co2 and ferts. You can't pick one and not the other, it doesn't work that.

In order to reduce a plant's demand on co2/ferts, you decrease the lighting. T5HO should really be left to tanks running co2/full fert routine as they are very intense lights. For no co2, you'll want to be in the low to medium category.

As for mixing ballasts and bulbs, I don't think that will work. You need to keep the ballasts for the bulbs intended. I think a PC fixture is a good option for no co2.
 
I wouldn't be mixing ballasts & bulbs...I'd be replacing the ballast in my current fixture for a t5ho, only the plastic housing would remain the same.

But thats a moot point if t5ho is too over the top anyways. What is this PC you're talking about? I've only heard of t5-12 & ho, compact flourescents & metal halides (and led)

I think for now I'm going to end up just seeing how things go with my single fluorescent bulb. So far I've had plants for about a week and they're still green....can't tell if there's been any grown but at least they're still green.

edit: what about simply adding a second t8 fluorescent?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom