After doing some snooping around the forum, I came across the PAR sticky, and I am now lost and thinking that my current light is simply not enough.
I have a standard 55 gallon. I have various anubias, swords, water sprite, wisteria, lutea, micro swords, pellia, and jave moss. My lighting right now is a dual 48" shop light with 2 GE 6,500k T8 bulbs and nothing else. There are also no reflectors on the shop light. Its a black shop light that you would find at lowes or home depot.
Please et me know what needs to be changed, also not sure if this matters, but the lights are on 9-10 hours a day.
What lead's you to believe lighting is not enough? Is this low tech, or high energy tank with CO2 ?
Could maybe run dual T5 NO,or dual 24 watt T5 if lighting is raised high enough on low tech. But remember,, that increased lighting, means the need for increased CO2 and increased fertilizer.
Low to moderate light mean's less CO2 is needed and less fertilizer.
Need to know your goal's as far as growth, and desired maint.
What lead's you to believe lighting is not enough? Is this low tech, or high energy tank with CO2 ?
Could maybe run dual T5 NO,or dual 24 watt T5 if lighting is raised high enough on low tech. But remember,, that increased lighting, means the need for increased CO2 and increased fertilizer.
Low to moderate light mean's less CO2 is needed and less fertilizer.
Need to know your goal's as far as growth, and desired maint.
Not sure in regards to growth, fairly new tank setup. I do have root tabs for heavy root feeders such as the lutea and swords. I am dosing seachem flourish comprehensive twice a week, seachem equilibrium after every water change, and there is also whatever fish bioload in the tank. I have not seen any algae either.
I would not try to increase the lighting except for duration. (If algae appear's,, decrease duration).I believe T5 bulb's will quickly make lack of CO2 apparent, Plant's falter,algae will take advantage of the inbalance, and also require more than just the flourish comprehensive.
Growth in low tech tank's is most often measured in week's, month's in my expierience.
I agree with this. It is important, also, for a low tech to be even more heavily planted from the beginning because of the slow growth. Get plenty of anubias and different types of java ferns. Plenty of moss. I love low tech tanks, so easy and stress free.
Yes, he has most of the popular anubias species, including nana petite. The ones in my 3G I bought from him. Also has many ferns and moss species. Nana petite are very small, keep that in mind.
I have a standard 55 gallon. I have various anubias, swords, water sprite, wisteria, lutea, micro swords, pellia, and jave moss. My lighting right now is a dual 48" shop light with 2 GE 6,500k T8 bulbs and nothing else. There are also no reflectors on the shop light.
These plants will probably be okay with the light you have. Instead of spending money another light, you could do a DIY reflector. Might check out hydroponics shop for 1.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
The Planted Tank Forum
3.5M posts
130.6K members
Since 2002
A forum community dedicated to Aquatic tank owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about flora, fauna, health, housing, filters, care, classifieds, and more!