Reducing Power/Light and adding CO2 Question

ronaldvalente · 11-14-2012, 10:17 AM

I have a 75 gallon lightly planted tank and have had issues with brown hair algae. I run my lights directly on the tank and do so for 12 hours. Clearly this is an amateur move and I need to correct this. While rethinking my plan, I wanted to upgrade my filtration and lighting and add CO2 to my tank.

I have a Neptune Systems controller so I have a lot of flexibility in which light I choose. Right now I am running a Coralife Freshwater Power Compact fixture with 4x65 Watt bulbs in it.

For substrate I have 2.5" of Eco-Complete.

My question is, how should I prioritize the upgrade?

- I was thinking of raising up the lights, running only two out of the four bulbs.

- Then add CO2 (more research needs to be done here, recommendations welcome).

- Then finally switch to LED lighting, trying to save some money on the power bill.

Thoughts?

Thanks again for the help!

Darkblade48 · 11-14-2012, 03:13 PM

Are you just looking to save money by switching from your PC fixtures to LEDs? You may not save that much money in the end, since LEDs are also a sizable investment.

Your photoperiod seems a bit long; I would reduce it to 8 hours.

For CO2, I would recommend pressurized CO2 for an aquarium your size. For more information, please take a look at my pressurized CO2 article that I wrote (linked in my signature).

ronaldvalente · 11-14-2012, 03:59 PM

Thank you for the info! I am doing some research on getting a CO2 system online. Does anyone have experience using the AquaticLife Regulator with Solenoid? I plan on hooking that up to my Apex Jr. to ensure CO2 levels stay in a safe range.

ronaldvalente · 11-16-2012, 01:14 AM

Tank is coming along nicely, going to throw up some pictures soon.
CO2 System will be online soon.

Photo period reduced to 8 hours.
Havent raised up the lights yet.

2x Eheim 2217 filters online.
Fluval G6 decommissioned.

11-14-2012, 10:17 AM	#1
ronaldvalente Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: NC Posts: 179	Reducing Power/Light and adding CO2 Question I have a 75 gallon lightly planted tank and have had issues with brown hair algae. I run my lights directly on the tank and do so for 12 hours. Clearly this is an amateur move and I need to correct this. While rethinking my plan, I wanted to upgrade my filtration and lighting and add CO2 to my tank. I have a Neptune Systems controller so I have a lot of flexibility in which light I choose. Right now I am running a Coralife Freshwater Power Compact fixture with 4x65 Watt bulbs in it. For substrate I have 2.5" of Eco-Complete. My question is, how should I prioritize the upgrade? - I was thinking of raising up the lights, running only two out of the four bulbs. - Then add CO2 (more research needs to be done here, recommendations welcome). - Then finally switch to LED lighting, trying to save some money on the power bill. Thoughts? Thanks again for the help!

11-14-2012, 03:13 PM	#2
Darkblade48 Moderator (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 7,040	Are you just looking to save money by switching from your PC fixtures to LEDs? You may not save that much money in the end, since LEDs are also a sizable investment. Your photoperiod seems a bit long; I would reduce it to 8 hours. For CO2, I would recommend pressurized CO2 for an aquarium your size. For more information, please take a look at my pressurized CO2 article that I wrote (linked in my signature). __________________ Anthony A Primer to Pressurized CO2 and A Primer to Planted Tanks Eheim Pimp #362 - Eheim 2213 x2, Eheim 2028, Ehein 2217, Eheim surface skimmer and Eheim autofeeder. Victor Pimp #33 - HPT272-125-350-4M

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11-14-2012, 03:59 PM	#3
ronaldvalente Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: NC Posts: 179	Thank you for the info! I am doing some research on getting a CO2 system online. Does anyone have experience using the AquaticLife Regulator with Solenoid? I plan on hooking that up to my Apex Jr. to ensure CO2 levels stay in a safe range.

11-16-2012, 01:14 AM	#4
ronaldvalente Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: NC Posts: 179	Tank is coming along nicely, going to throw up some pictures soon. CO2 System will be online soon. Photo period reduced to 8 hours. Havent raised up the lights yet. 2x Eheim 2217 filters online. Fluval G6 decommissioned.