I would try for more lighting. It's been done with 2x9w, but it's certainly not ideal. Try to find something with more than 18w.
Equipments needed to start a 2.5G Planted
Hi,
I am planning to start a 2.5G planted tank, as stated in the title.
Here are the equipments I am going to use. If you have an recommendation, feel free to post.
2.5 Gallon AGA or Perfecto Aquarium
Perfecto Glass Canopy for 2.5 Gallon
Coralife Freshwater Aqualight Mini 9W x2 6700K
Red Sea Nano Filter
ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia II
DIY CO2
Heater (I don't know which one yet)
The plants I want to have are HC and Hairgrass. Do you think the Freshwater Aqualight Mini is powerful enough for those plants?
Livestock: Cherry Shrimp.
I am planning to start a 2.5G planted tank, as stated in the title.
Here are the equipments I am going to use. If you have an recommendation, feel free to post.
2.5 Gallon AGA or Perfecto Aquarium
Perfecto Glass Canopy for 2.5 Gallon
Coralife Freshwater Aqualight Mini 9W x2 6700K
Red Sea Nano Filter
ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia II
DIY CO2
Heater (I don't know which one yet)
The plants I want to have are HC and Hairgrass. Do you think the Freshwater Aqualight Mini is powerful enough for those plants?
Livestock: Cherry Shrimp.
1 - 20 of 21 Posts
I have a similar set up with good results. HC grow a bit slow under Aqualight mini but they are definitely growing and healthy. Where about do you live in Canada? I am using a super mini heater for my 2.5 G bought from Rain Forest Pet Spectrum in Vancouver http://rainforestpet.com/product_info.php?cPath=155&products_id=827 It is a super small heater but provides adequate heating.
Thanks for your advice Yoshi. What do you recommend that is over 18W? I know there are not too many choices out there.
Treasure Chest: I live in Ontario, so I don't think I can get that heater. I haven't seen that at my LFS yet.
Treasure Chest: I live in Ontario, so I don't think I can get that heater. I haven't seen that at my LFS yet.
I recently bought a 12" Coralife Aqualight 2-18w fixture and have been very satsified with it. Another option is to go with a 24w lamp (do a search, you'll be able to find retrofits easily, but for a fixture the only 24w fixture I know of is made by Odyssea- which does not get stellar reviews). But...like I mentioned above, 18w will be able to grow HC... but it may be slow, less than ideal growth.
I thought the Coralife 12" Aqualight 2 x 18W comes with 50/50 lights. So you replaced it with 6700K or 10000K? Going that route for me might be a bit out of my budget.
My friend has an Odyssea 24W fixture, but I heard many bad stories about it, so I am not sure if it is good or bad.
My friend has an Odyssea 24W fixture, but I heard many bad stories about it, so I am not sure if it is good or bad.
you can buy 2 screw in bulbs (coral life or other) and some bases from home depot and build a canopy to hold them. It'd probably run you $15-20 in parts including bulbs, bases and wood. OR skip the coral life bulb and get a normal 20w screw in bulb from walmart.
Yes, you're right... they come with 50/50 bulbs. I have the bulbs swapped out to one 6,700K and one 10,000K bulb. I had the bulbs left over from another project that I figured I might as well use.I thought the Coralife 12" Aqualight 2 x 18W comes with 50/50 lights. So you replaced it with 6700K or 10000K? Going that route for me might be a bit out of my budget.
My friend has an Odyssea 24W fixture, but I heard many bad stories about it, so I am not sure if it is good or bad.
my 2.5 has 27w screw in PC bulbs that grow hc rather quickly,IMO.
that's the cheapest route, totalling about 15$ with a cheap desklight.
that's the cheapest route, totalling about 15$ with a cheap desklight.
Is it full spectrum? What about the colour temperature?
67k. All that matters IMO, are the total watts, *k temp, and the restrike, in which Spiral bulbs have a lot of(which is bad)
Since Spiral bulbs have lots of restrike, if the bulb is 27W, with restrike, will the 2 x 9W Aqualight Mini produce stronger light?
How many shrimp are you planning to keep in the tank? and also do u think they will still be able to breed in that small tank?
I am planning to have 9 cherry shrimps. (well I got them already but they are at my friends as he has a shrimp tank) I don't have any intention of breeding. If they spawn, I will be very happy!
Now I am thinking of getting the Zoo Med 501 instead of the Red Sea Nano filter. Do you guys think 501 is a good choice? Will it be too powerful?
I hear the Zoo-Med is great. I plan on getting one to replace the Red Sea nano I have.
talk to sandiegoryu about that, i think he said it was too powerfull.
It's better for like 5 gallons.
the redsea nano filter, IMO, is a great filter, you just have to keep it clean.
i clean mine during WC's.
and the adjustable flow is cool, because bettas apparantly are weak swimmers,lol.
It's better for like 5 gallons.
the redsea nano filter, IMO, is a great filter, you just have to keep it clean.
i clean mine during WC's.
and the adjustable flow is cool, because bettas apparantly are weak swimmers,lol.
What if I put in lots of filter floss, will it reduce the flow rate so it will suitable for a 2.5G? Also, I have to put a sponge on the intake so shrimps don't get suck in, I am guessing that will reduce flow rate too?
If you have a sponge over the intake, it will reduce the flow greatly. THat's what I'm planning to do for mine over a 3g.
1 - 20 of 21 Posts
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