Newbie with questions on 29 gallon tank (pics)

[ScubaSteve]

I have a 29 gallon tank with Onyx sand and just got it planted the way I want. The LFS sold me on a 48w Aquatic Life T5HO light and looking at my tank now, I am afraid I have too much light. I am dosing with Excel and I am planning on fertilizing with Flourish. Take a look at the pics and let me know what you think. Thank you!

[AndrewGreen]

Yea it seems u have more light than you need. I also have a 29 gallon and all u need is a fixture 2x24 and you should be fine.

[ScubaSteve]

That is what this is, a 2 x 24w fixture. I am thinking of a DIY co2 kit as well. Should I take out one bulb for now?

[AndrewGreen]

Im in the same situation as you and i were you id keep using the two bulbs and see how algae growth is. What i recommend with what im doing with my 29 gallon is have 4 otos for clearing up any algae and they also clean the plant leaves very well which is what i love about them. Then dose the proper supplements for the plants. Get what you can and try to get Seachem Excel which is a good source of carbon and you can also combine that with the diy co2 and you should be good to go. Just stock up on more plants!

[Rainer]

Estimative Index (EI) fertilizing is a very good idea for a potentially high light tank like yours, assuming those are High Output bulbs. If so, you'll need CO2 too.

Unless you like algae, I'd use only one bulb until you're fully equipped.

[ScubaSteve]

Originally Posted by AndrewGreen

Im in the same situation as you and i were you id keep using the two bulbs and see how algae growth is. What i recommend with what im doing with my 29 gallon is have 4 otos for clearing up any algae and they also clean the plant leaves very well which is what i love about them. Then dose the proper supplements for the plants. Get what you can and try to get Seachem Excel which is a good source of carbon and you can also combine that with the diy co2 and you should be good to go. Just stock up on more plants!

Do you have the HO t5 bulbs as well? What kind of setup do you have as far as co2,etc?

Originally Posted by Rainer

Estimative Index (EI) fertilizing is a very good idea for a potentially high light tank like yours, assuming those are High Output bulbs. If so, you'll need CO2 too.

Unless you like algae, I'd use only one bulb until you're fully equipped.

What is IE fertilizing and would flourish accomplish that?

[Rainer]

Flourish would cover only part of it. There's a great sticky on the subject in the fertilizer subforum..

[AndrewGreen]

Originally Posted by ScubaSteve

Do you have the HO t5 bulbs as well? What kind of setup do you have as far as co2,etc?

Im not completely setup yet ive ordered some stuff online recently, im very informed in my equipment and ill tell what i have coming. I have a ZooMed AquaSun 30" Fixture 2x24. I ordered the GE Starcoat 6500k and Giesemann AquaFlora. I chose the GE over the midday because the GE has better PAR and ppl say it is fairly brighter and has a crisper white color. And im very confused with supplements but i bought the bare basics which is Seachem Fluorish, Excel, and the tabs to provide extra nutrients. I just really want someone to tell me all the name of the supplements i need and period not name the chemical. But ill update u when i set everything up.

Yes i do have t5 ho 24" bulbs (really 22"). And co2 im planning on using excel and a diy setup.

[ScubaSteve]

Originally Posted by AndrewGreen

Yes i do have t5 ho 24" bulbs (really 22"). And co2 im planning on using excel and a diy setup.

I'm with you, there seems to be so much conflicting info out there. I wonder if a diy co2 kit would be enough with my lighting.

[AndrewGreen]

Originally Posted by ScubaSteve

I'm with you, there seems to be so much conflicting info out there. I wonder if a diy co2 kit would be enough with my lighting.

Yea all this information ive looked through it all just gets REALLY CONFUSING AND IRRITATING. But if you dose excel and have a good DIY co2 setup with a diffuser u can purchase off ebay for $5-10 you should be fine im sure. Otherwise i recommend making a pressurized system that only costs about $100-115. If u want to know how to do it i can definately link u to the guide. Its mainly running off a paintball tank but reffiling can be annoyinf but take this as a suggestion.

[ScubaSteve]

Originally Posted by AndrewGreen

Yea all this information ive looked through it all just gets REALLY CONFUSING AND IRRITATING. But if you dose excel and have a good DIY co2 setup with a diffuser u can purchase off ebay for $5-10 you should be fine im sure. Otherwise i recommend making a pressurized system that only costs about $100-115. If u want to know how to do it i can definately link u to the guide. Its mainly running off a paintball tank but reffiling can be annoyinf but take this as a suggestion.

That would be great...Thank you!

[AndrewGreen]

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=115850

[ScubaSteve]

I got my DIY co2 setup and it seems to be working pretty well. Will post pics later today.

[PeterN1986]

Like Hoppy likes to suggest, you could also buy fiberglass window screen from Home Depot or Lowe's ($7 max) and cut out a rectangle or two to put just below your light to reduce the intensity.

[ScubaSteve]

Originally Posted by PeterN1986

Like Hoppy likes to suggest, you could also buy fiberglass window screen from Home Depot or Lowe's ($7 max) and cut out a rectangle or two to put just below your light to reduce the intensity.

Actually, I think the plants are starting to perk up since I added my DIY CO2 the other day...it is running around 1.25 bubbles a second (I have yet to figure out the PPM in the tank). I have been dosing with Excel every other day and I am doing Flourish once a week. I am trying to figure out what other ferts to supplemant with as well. Oh, I also add a few fish (after cycling with stability). I have had the fish in for a little over a week and they are doing great.

Here are the pics of my CO2 System...I am adding a second bottle today.