"Der Ewige Kreis" - "The Eternal Circle" - To be Torn Down

[@marko@]

it is possible that you have enough, i know t5s are stronger. but i dont know how much. well itll be trial and error; thats ok its cheap plants, not corals. i just started a nano reef for the first time, and there is no trial and error since a nice sized coral is about $75-$150+.

[fishman9809]

the WPG rule doesn't apply much to small and lower tanks, as well as big tanks, it is based on lumens, right?

[@marko@]

yep, actually all tanks should be based on lumens, but that changes with acrylic covers, humidity, etc. and is not easy to measure; so people use watts. but 20 gallons qualifies for medium size.

[fishman9809]

there is no cover, it is a 20 long, so it is shorter.

[fishscale]

The depth won't matter much, read Rex Grigg's site. There's a snippet about how it won't make a difference until about 3 ft. It'd be easier to tell you if you had enough light if you gave a specific model of light. I would bet it's enough, since the T5's that come in that size are 18W. If you went by WPG, you'd be just under 2 wpg, which is perfect if you don't want to use CO2. You can grow plants with less than 2 wpg. You can even grow dwarf hair grass, as shown by the Senskes. Based on your list, you shouldn't run into too much trouble if you play it right. You might have some problems keeping your E.T. growing low, though.

[fishman9809]

yeah, it is the dual 18 watt t5:

here:

http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS...lestriplight30

Why would I have trouble growing the Echinodorus Tenellus?

[jaidexl]

Props on not succumbing to light hype. See where that T5 gets you while you save money for CO2. Your plan to possibly add another is smart not only because those fixtures are cheap, you will have far more options using two strips rather than one, options for power, placement, spectrums, and it even sets you up with an easier resale (a nice medium powered, cheap and efficient light will fly out the window, plus you have two of them).

All those questions you were constantly asking have served you well, I think you'll do alright at this stuff as long as you listen to the right answers.

Remember that CO2 will benefit your tank even with low light. I wouldn't add a second fixture until CO2 is running steady for a while. DIY will suffice for this tank as long as you diffuse it properly and keep it steady, I would run two bottles with mix day staggered two weeks apart so you don't get a major drop in CO2 when the yeast quits working at full potential.

[fishman9809]

ok, I have 2 DIY Yeast Hagen bottles for fermentation Co2, they will be used on the tank at the same time. How long do you think that would last in a 20 long?

[fishscale]

Regardless of tank size, yeast lasts between 1 and 3 weeks (at least IME). There are supposedly certain ways you can make it last longer, but I never really got around to trying before getting pressurized.

[@marko@]

as fishscale said, the DIY CO2 lasts a certain length no matter what tank it is on, what matters is the proportions inside and the amount of initial yeast and the temp and size of the container.
the way it works is by the yeast eating the sugar which is glucose. glucose is C6H12O6. to release the energy inside they break it apart and bond the peices of the molecule with oxygen (O2). the process is:
C6H12O6 + O2 (x6)---> H2O (x6) + CO2 (x6)
the CO2 is a gas and has a lesser density then before so it needs more space. the only place to go is in the tube, into the tank. this process depends on the conditions in the CO2 canister, and are unrelated to those in the tank.

[fishman9809]

thanks for the help

[@marko@]

are you going to do the tank aquascape according to a plan, or just scape as you go?
if plan, can we see it?

[fishman9809]

well, it might just be planted as I go, but I have some pics if u like, let me find them

[fishman9809]

its these:

[@marko@]

hmm i like the first one better, but may i suggest continuing the short green plant in the center and connecting the two groups of plants.
i really cant wait to see how it turns out.