Please help with my 220.

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OnceLoyal

OnceLoyal

Candiru
MFK Member
May 13, 2008
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220 set up and cycled. I have the Tahitian Moon (I think thats what it is called...it is the black sand) 2 Current USA running 4 96W 10K 2 96W 6700s )( I think) and 2 96W attinic (blues which I am pretty sure does nothing for planted tank) I've been using kent Fert (liquid form). I have about 4 large amazon swords about 12 I cut off the runners (I hope I cut them right), a java fern and like 5 of those bulb plants.
I assume my wattage is ok. SHould I swap out the attinics?
Will the swords be ok in the sand?
Everything has been in there for about a month and 1/2 I think and everything seems ok (is it too early to tell?)
I am pretty noob when it comes to plants. I use to keep a few here and there in a 55 but nothing major.
I have a huge 55 CO2 tank, but I am scared to use it. I don't have any injection system yet for that reason.
My local pet store told me no root pellets. (he said they are a waste) He is a marine biologist so I assume he has somewhat of a clue. Anyone use any paticular brand with good success? I heard the amazons are heavy root feeders so it might be good for them.
I did do a lot of research and I am sorry to bring up something that I already searched on, but it will make me feel better to have direct answers :)
 
from what i have heard the attinic bulbs are great......for growing algea lol so i would not use them if i was you. and anytime i use sand i have used root tabs, im not sure if it is a must but i figure there not going to hurt anything so i may as well toss them in. and co2 is not bad at all once you buy everthing. i dont test my co2 i just watch my fish and if they are gasping for air i lessen the amount of co2. i started with abouut 3 bubbles per second and went up from there.

hope that answered atleast one of the questions you asked lol
 
Thx guys for the info. I don't want this tank to go over board on the plants. I just want the ones I have to be full and beauiful. So even in a lightly planted tank CO2 might be worth it? Or should I just scratch that idea? I will have to get some pics up so you guys can have a better idea of what I am trying to do.
This will eventaully house 7-8, 8+" Redbellies. So they will need a little bit of spce to swim.
I will leave work in about an hour to get some root tabs I guess.
My wattage is ok though I believe. Any idea which lights to swap the blues out for? Or do you guys think I can just keepm?
 
the light rang for plants is 6500k to 10000k so somthing in that range im not sure what it is about those bulbs that grow algae i have just heard they do. co2 will help your plants for sure but if you only have a few plants you more then likly will not need to inject it. if you decide to go highly planted then you will need to. im not sure what your running for filtration but HOB filters and sumps can gas off alot of co2 that is injected (the surface movement is what does it)

having said that there is alot of people will amazing tanks that do not use co2 and amazing ones that do add it so its kinda up to you. i have never planted a tank this large for that matter never planted a tank over like 30 gallons so im not sure if things change on a tank that large but i figure i would pass on some stuff i have learned.
 
Root tabs are much more efficient than liquid ferts for root feeders. Liquid/dry ferts feed the water column, which is only going to help plants that take nutrients from their leaves and stems. Swords are root feeders, and as such need nutrients down there. CO2 isn't a must, I personally wouldn't use it on your tank. As far as lighting, drop the actinics, they won't help you. How deep is your tank, and do you have glass tops?
 
I do not have glass tops and she is 30" tall. The only reason why I haven't switched out the blues is well.....I dunno lol, thinking maybe it helps bring some colors out in the tank? If I don't need the extra wattage I will just keep them. Do you think I have enough?
BTW thanks for all the responses. I see some very impressive pics on this side of the website!!!
 
As per above, definitely go with root tabs for the swords. About the only use for the blue lighting I've had is that seems to be less stressful on certain fish while still allowing you to view them.
 
From what I've researched for plants the attinic are totally useless. I've also heard GE's 9325K are good bulbs to use for planted tanks. From my calculations too you're running 576 watts not including the attinic right? That would be a high light tank so you might run into an algae problem but i'm not sure of that. I'll still technically a noob to plants though so don't count on my algae info. A good site I found was www.plantgeek.net really helpful i found.
 
With that depth, CF lighting is not a good option. The light does not penetrate to the bottom of 30" tanks. A single 36" 39W HO T5 bulb can do more for a 30" tank than 4 65W CF bulbs can. I know, because I run a POS Helios HO T5 on there over a dual linear 48" lunar current USA fixture.
 
:( Wyl don't say that !!! LOL, I spent too much over budget already. SO you don't think I have enough penetration??? I knew I should've got a 180 lol, I never liked tall tanks I just got a pretty good deal on this one $1200 out the door an unfinished stand and canopy (which I stained ebony). WHat if I swap out the blues for some 6700 or 10K? I know that doesn't realy solve a penetraion prob. but better than nothing.... Or what 2 bulbs do youthink would work best?
As for algae, I had a decent bloom so far, I would assume it was while cycling when nitrate lvls were up. To be honest all I did for that was add an 18 Watt UV Ster. and 3 Juvenile common plecs and the results were/are amazing. I sware the next day I woke up and saw a dramatic difference. The second day problem almsot resolved. I know plecs are not too be used for algae control per say, but man those little guys went to town.
And yeah it is 576 without the blues. I didn't think it would be considered "high" light though. I thought I would still be down a bit.
oh yeah and Wyl I am running 6 96W 4 10K and 2 6700, and then the 2 96W atinics, not 4 65W.
I did add the root tabs last night, I would assume if they will help I will see results within a week???
Thx again for the help guys.
 
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