Lighting my 125 uaru tank

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cichlids4me

Candiru
MFK Member
Apr 5, 2008
274
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Pageland, SC
I have an AH Supply 4X55 kit installed on my tank but am trying to decide on what configuration of bulbs to use. I am planning on putting in some low light plants.....Anubias and Jave ferns. I put some Valisneria in from my recent trim of my 75.
I am thinking either 4- 6700K, 2-6700K and 2-Actinic or 1-6700k 1-10000k and 1- Actinic

The pic shows 2-6700k on left and 1-6700K and 1- Actinic on the right which makes it look deeper.
Any suggestions?

HPIM0860.JPG
 
I wouldnt put too much light on the tank as i find uaru like more of a subdued light. also they will make short work of those plants in there in no time unless the plants can grow faster than the uaru can eat them. as for the lights, i would go with all 6700K. although the actinics look really good, i find they dont look all that natural on a freshwater tank and dont do much for the plants. I would just do all 6700k to insure the plants get enough light to grow faster and become stonger so that if the uaru do want to munch on them, the plants wont be too badly effected. you may also want to feed them lots of romane lettuce to curb there appetite for your plants.
 
cichlids4me;1734665; said:
I actually put the Vals in there for them to munch on when I get them. They were just extras from my recent pruning of my 75.
Click to expand...

Ok, well if your not doing live plants, then maybe just use 1 or 2 6700k bulbs to avoid any issues with algae. I know my uaru hate when i turn all my light for the tank on. they seem to like when just one bulb is on instead of all 3 that i have over mine.
 
well I am planning on having plants with them but they will be low light plants....anubias and java ferns.....as I was researching uaru these were mentioned because of the thicker leaves and the supposed bad taste they have

I already use anubias with my mbuna and they very rarely if at all bother it
 
cichlids4me;1736357; said:
Try this link http://www.wetpetz.com/uaru.htm
Click to expand...

My trio of uaru's quickly outgrew a 125, plus they made keeping any plants in the tank a futile effort..If they didn't eat them they just tore them up, plugging filters inlets and just making the tank nasty.. They where surprisely strong as well moving large pieces of driftwood and rocks when laying eggs.

Good luck there a great fish!
 
If you can find them, I'd do 2-6700k's and 2-colormax. It enhances the look of the fish, and it does a decent job for plants too, although the plants you're planning on really won't need any help after 2 55-watt 6700k's. I'd have to agree about the subdued lighting for uarus, but if you can get the plants growing well enough(and some growing high enough), then maybe it will subdue the lighting in the uarus' swimming space. Add some more driftwood and other hiding places, and you should be fine, aside from the fact that I, too, have heard that they'll munch plants. Like you said though... anubias and ferns tend to taste bad....
 
I am heading to the landscape store tomorrow to pick up some stones to stack up for shade and hiding. I also have some hornwort that I was thinking about floating to help subdue the lighting. Yeah I know they might eat it but it grows so fast maybe it wont be so obvious that it is being nibbled on.
 
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