[kidgrave]

Hi, I want to setup a 20 gallon tank, a low-tech one. As far as plants go, I just want to have Java Fern, Anubias, and Java Moss. Would 3x13 watt CFL bulbs be adequate for this tank and plants? The 3x13 CFL bulbs would equal to 1.95 watts per gallon. I don't know if this is too much light because I have heard that CFL lights are inefficient.

 

[kidgrave]

Go with two of those 13 watt cfl bulbs and use a 10.5" domed reflector. What type of fixture(s) were you gonna use?

For fixture, I was planning on using an Aqueon Economy hood, or those clamp on lights that many people keep using, like the ones that you could purchase for cheap at Walmart. If you don't mind me asking, is a domed reflector some DIY project thing I would have to deal with? I don't know too much about reflectors. Is there any link you could provide me as to where I could purchase a 10.5" dome reflector?

 

[kidgrave]

That's a really nice tank and I'm glad you're sharing a picture. Which domes would you advise me to buy and from where? By the way, as for the plant that you have all the way in the back of your tank and in the middle, is that a Dwarf Rotalla? I am a bit of a newbie, and I think that plant is pretty sexy. I hope you keep up the good work with your tank.:red_mouth

I use 2x 13w CFL bulbs on a 20g of mine, and has worked just fine for a year now. I use the thinner domes though.

 

[kidgrave]

I use 3 brooder domes on my 20 long with 13w CFL's. I rest them on a strip of glass so they are pretty close to the surface. I keep floating plants in this tank also to break up the light.

My question is, is it okay to place those brooder dromes on top of a glass canopy, or is it better to have it them like an inch above? I'm curious because I have no idea how hot those lights get. By the way, what type of plants are you growing?

 

[kidgrave]

I have a 10 gallon with 2 10W CFLs about 4" above the top of the tank. I just lost what I had typed because I went and logged in.:angryfire. 2 13W was too much for my tank. Eh, I'm ambivalent about the wattage you should run. The thing is, those CFLs put out a lot of light in the configuration including a 10-1/2" brooder dome aluminum reflector. I think that where you are using a lot of light, you have to have adequate ferts or the plants will stop growing and the algae will start.

Dang, that really sucks that you lost what you typed. Are those 2X10W CFLs too much light for your tank now, even though they are 4" above the top of your tank? If you don't mind me asking, when it comes to ferts, which dosing method do you use, and which ferts you you purchase? I just bought some dry ferts, and I'm not sure which dosing method would be best for a 10 gallon tank. I'm trying to go for a method that would be ideal to dose 1 time per week. I keep hearing all these things about the Estimative Index, but I'm not sure if there are other more efficient methods.

 

[kidgrave]

You might be able to get the 10.5" dome reflectors cheaper from Tractor Supply but they do NOT have on/off switch like the ones from Home Depot. If you put them on a timer then that doesn't really matter.

I don't mind a timer. I bought a time from Walmart. How much have you payed for the ones sold at Home Depot?

 

[kidgrave]

Isn't it dangerous to use clamp on lights on an open tank? How long does a floramax substrate usually last? Would you have to completely replace it when it runs out of nutrients? Thanks for your reply.

I rest my brooder lamps right on the glass. I think my domes are the 10" ones or close to it. I watched the temps of mine using an infrared temp gun. If I remember correctly the dome itself only got up to the 80's F so not really "hot". Originally I used a full 20 long glass top but I removed the hinge and did not use the plastic flap so there was an inch or so front and back of open space. Currently I am using just the back section of glass centered on the tank solely to sit the lights on. part of the domes is above open water now but mostly on the glass...no moisture issues but I only keep this tank around 70-72. If I find 10w CFL's I might downgrade. I was getting some green algae on the floramax substrate but between the floaters, ramshorn snails and maybe the ghost shrimp it is mostly gone now.

I don't have much for plants as I was going for more of an open look on this tank and it is still fairly young (started new years eve!). I have frogbit floating, 2 anubias, dwarf hairgrass (looks great but not spreading...somewhat expected in low tech), and then I have a really cool chain sword? -I should have this plant ID'd as I'm not sure exactly what it is. It is very short with narrow leaves that is sending runners and plantlets all over. Some leaves are reddish brown...I'm letting this plant do what it wants as it doesn't seem likely the dwarf hairgrass will carpet fully...Should get a pic up.

 

[kidgrave]

Home Depot or Lowes should have them. If you can't find them locally, order them online:

Bayco SL-302B3 10-1/2-Inch Brooder Clamp Light with Porcelain Ceramic Socket - Amazon.com



Yeah, you can put them right on top of the glass. The domed clamp lamp reflectors do a decent job of dispersing heat.

Thanks for your reply. Based on your personal experience, like how much do those lights increase the heat of the water?

 

[kidgrave]

I have only been dosing Flourish Comprehensive and Root Tabs. My plants stopped growing and I had problems with algae. Now my substrate is MGOCPM and I'll have unlimited ferts for a couple of years.

I think there are at least a few fert methods. You could google "fert method comparison" or just "fert methods."

I just decided to forget about the ferts and go with MGOCPM to dirt my tank. I have been doing research about how long the nutrients last with MGOCPM and I keep finding mixed information. Some people say MGOCPM will run out of nutrients, and others say that it will not run out since the fish poop and debris will replenish it's minerals. How long do you think that soil will last? Did you use red clay on your dirt?