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Post by holmes114 on Mar 11, 2012 18:51:03 GMT -6
I have a 60G tank I want to setup as planted. I want to know what kind of lighting I can get that a) will allow me to grow any plant regardless of lighting requirements b) not require me to run CO2, because I haven't even looked into that yet....
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Post by ree123 on Mar 11, 2012 19:01:58 GMT -6
High light speeds up plant growth thus triggering the plants to grow faster and use more Co2.
This is the reason Co2 is added under high light.
I run compact flourescent lights on my plant tanks with pretty good success, so far. I have no T-5 light hoods, but read they are even brighter and better for good fast plant growth.
The Standard 1 tube flourescents that come with most tanks is just barely sufficent to grow low light plants like The Javas and some Crypts species.
Under these lights one must have partial sunlight hitting their tanks to grow much else, in my experience.
My fishroom has no windows, so I have to supply all artifical lights and have found the C.F.'s to serve my needs well, to date.
Of course lenth of time lights are on makes a difference too. Most plants do well with 10 to 14 hours per day with 10 being about ideal. 14 seems to promote more algae for me.
I tried 24 hous on and 24 hours off for a while, but had algae issues with that too, and found no improved plant growth over the 10 or so hours per day.
I do add Co2 as a DIY project to date, but will eventually buy into the expensive tank and regulator ideal, with one large tank, and allow all the other tanks to go back to being just breeder and fry tanks w/o plants. Eventually.
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Post by holmes114 on Mar 11, 2012 19:32:56 GMT -6
Currently I have a dual T5 fixture. Fish store dude told me that regular T5's won't grow much. He says I need T5 HOs. I've been googling and it seems the HO fixtures will put out so much light they will require CO2. Seems like a slippery slope  |
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Post by ree123 on Mar 11, 2012 19:49:53 GMT -6
Correct. T-5 high output cast a lot of light and would prompt the plants to grow quickly, but quick growth requires nutrients be present and Co2 is part of the mix, since plants grow from a source of carbon and this is the ideal carbon.
The light you have will grow some plants, not sure which ones though. prob. more than just the low light ones, but may be lacking when it comes to the high light ones.
Like I said, I have never had T-5's.
Research each plant you want to include to see if it's needs are low, med or high light and stick with the low and med. requirements.
That way you don't have to retrofit your light and you may not have to use C02, although Co2 can't hurt, as long as not overdone to limit O2 and thus harm the fish.
Others may differ with me, and that is fine, since you should search out lots of opinions and experiment for what works best for you.
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Post by ree123 on Mar 11, 2012 19:55:27 GMT -6
On the subject of plants, we have a couple of guys from Alabama who are registered members here and run an aquatic plant business in Ala..
I have written them in the last couple of days and told them of our impending swap/meet in May and have heard from them today saying they will be planning to attend the swap/meet on May 20. They have lots and lots of nice aquatic plants and I have bought from them before. They will bring a nice variety and specific ones if asked ahead of time.
You can find them by going to google and typing in BamaPlants.com
Consider what you want and plan your cash to buy from them the day of the swap/meet.
They have fantastic and very fair prices !
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Post by holmes114 on Mar 11, 2012 20:58:21 GMT -6
I've looked into bamaplants before. They do have very good prices. They are in south Alabama and I never really wanted to have them shipped. I'll definately be interested at the swap.
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Post by ree123 on Mar 11, 2012 22:26:43 GMT -6
If you have special requests, you can get on their site and send them e-mail.
They will prob. bring a variety, but to be sure if you want something specific...let them know.
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Post by rickl on Mar 13, 2012 13:32:54 GMT -6
No! I must not start a planted angelfish tank! Must resist the evil Prez!
-Rick (the armchair aquarist)
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Post by bunnie1978 on Mar 14, 2012 16:20:28 GMT -6
If you want to be able to grow any kinds of plants, particularly red ones, you're going to HAVE to go all the way high tech. Including CO2.. that's if you want no limitations. However, it is very possible to create a very lush water garden in medium light conditions. 2 T5 bulbs would be awesome for that - in the range of 2-3 watts per gallon. You can still grow some impressive plants in that range without adding co2.
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Post by bunnie1978 on Mar 14, 2012 16:20:56 GMT -6
rickl - LOL
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Post by bnoel210 on Mar 14, 2012 17:40:14 GMT -6
Im def gonna get into plants here soon when I start my mouth brooding betta project. I know im gonna start with some java fern but is there any moss that I could grow in low light to grow on my rocks and driftwood?
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Post by bunnie1978 on Mar 15, 2012 18:21:35 GMT -6
Java moss is ok. I really like Christmas moss.
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Post by bnoel210 on Mar 15, 2012 18:43:30 GMT -6
Is christmas moss low light?
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Post by bnoel210 on Mar 15, 2012 18:45:00 GMT -6
I also really need to start looking at ordering some online very soon as il be starting my project hopefully in the next 4-6 and would like the plants already established in the tank before I add the fish.
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Post by jon carman on Mar 15, 2012 19:52:06 GMT -6
Sounds like it is almost more work than growing coral.
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