might stop planted tank need opinions and help.

[conig]

I kind of figured the length would be an issue. Its hard to find a 30in light. Thats why I have the rocks and plants down there.

Thanks for all the help, and wish me luck.

 

[carsona246]

I have a ten gallon tank, and diy co2 is working just fine. I'd go with a smaller tank as it's just easier in my opinion for planted tanks. What exactly are you dosing, and what's your photoperiod? I had a hell of a time with algae until I lowered my photoperiod and started dosing more macros than is traditionally recommended.

 

[conig]

So I figured I would update this. I still have this tank and almost felt discouraged lately until looking at what it once was. Presently the tank is almost fishless not by choice but because I cannot seem to keep anything for very long, even guppys or cherry shrimp. I have some questions.

how often should I change out bulbs? I am using 5000k philips bulbs from home depot and am now getting green slime like algae and I hate it. One 15watt 18 inch t8 bulb is what I use. The same par as before. Is there a better bulb to use? I also run presurized co2 at 1 bubble every 3-5 seconds, I do not turn it off at night as its a fluval kit and I found my ph fluctuated less just leaving it on.

I also no longer use the magnum pictured it seemed to hang up and was atleast ten years old and I hate the cost of replacement cartridges. I could try it again but it seemed to clog up quickly. I went to a powerhead on a large sponge filter and a aquaclear 20 thats atleast 20 years old. I need a new filter would one of these be better then the other? I would like something quite that has reusable or cheaply replaced filtration (which both of these have). I really look for low power consumption which both of these have. I would like to remove the sponge filter but could keep it if needed tank test out great now the aquaclear is just old and noisy.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+16729&pcatid=16729

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+19616&pcatid=19616