[jas1313]

The main reason I'm having trouble is because I'm still new to planted tanks. Quick sum up - my goal is a medium light, planted accordingly. Right now I have some anubias, sword, water sprite, micro sword, dwarf sag, crypt, etc. It's a 38 gal so it's kinda tall- 19". Substrate is 2 -2.5 in front, 3-4" in back. No real plans on doing co2. I do have some flourish and excel.
Right now it's low light. Plants are ok.
So for lighting. I think it's the odyssea t5 with 2× 39w 6700. I like this because of the price. The finnex planted+ or there's the Current USA Satellite Freshwater Aquarium LED Plus.
Looking for some advice.

 

[jas1313]

Hmmm. I'm really leaning toward no co2. And agree the thought of dosing excel daily does not sound great either. I have to upgrade lights very soon so I need to make a choice.
Are you saying that with lights I listed and no co2 I will for sure have algae issues? I do understand that my stock choices are limited with more of a low tech but that's why I was thinking in the medium range.
I've been reading up on the par and I'm starting to get it but there is definitely a lot of info there. At what par with no co2 be best to limit algae?
Any advice appreciated

 

[jas1313]

What I want... tough question I guess. I want the best of both. Let me try to be more technical.
I already listed my rough plant list. (Plus I have some vals too). Substrate is floramax. Filter is ac70 and a penguin 200 (which should be gone soon as the ac is seeded.) Fish: 10 neons,6 har. Rasbora, 1 oto, couple snails and ghost shrimp. (Planning to add another group of 6 (not yet determined)
Lights: 30"t8 ( came with tank. From craigslist. Not sure what it is. 15w has a pinkish hue.) And a 18" 12w cheapy plant t8 from home depot I had laying around. It was always a plan to upgrade but got ahead of myself.
I'm not new to fish keeping - almost 20 years but am new to plants. This tank is more of a family project. My kids have had a lot of input so far. Iwagumi kinda inspired me to go planted but wanted more like a Dutch or natural. So my set up is a fusion of sorts. (We like it)
My plants so far are alive but not thriving. They need better light.
What I want is a visually appealing healthy balance of aquatic life. It's ok if they grow somewhat slow. I said medium because some of the med/high plants are just cool. I realize I am limited though. I planned on doing ferts and excel but not daily. Weekly just to keep things healthy. I have space for a carpet and was thinking glosso but again I understand co2 would aid in a carpet so I'm ok without. Basically I don't want a tank full of anubias. And I don't won't a $1000 setup with award winning rare plants. But I HAVE to change my lights.
On a side note; my java moss is dieing and my sword is doing the best. I just thought that's odd.
Hope this helps and THANK YOU everyone for the help.

 

[jas1313]

Any more recommendations?

 

[jas1313]

Hoppy - thanks for info. I may just have to play around a bit. My big concern is buying something that requires the use of co2 for sure. As I said I can use excel but wanted to avoid daily use. The odyssea mentioned I suppose could work and I can always swap a bulb with a lesser. The led choice was just me looking at the more techy stuff. I guess I'm after a low tech after all.

 

[jas1313]

Jr man - tank looks good. Looks like everyone has a pro and con with every option. I guess it's going to come down to me spending $50 or 120. Just trying to not learn the hard way on something like lights. Plants are one thing.

 

[jas1313]

Been reading in the low tech forum quite a bit. The plant list seems fine for what I want and it appears some people get away with med/ high light plants as well. It also seems people's lighting is all over the board. The reason I said planted + was because I saw it mentioned a few times. I think it was described as a low/med light..? Am I wrong there?
I'm well aware that the watt per gallon is not a good measurement but I was told to be no lower than 2wpg. The odyssea is just that for me.
So... to keep me at a good low light setup, what would u recommend? ?
And thanks for the comments. I'll be an expert in no time and probably totally change to a super high tech:red_mouth

 

[jas1313]

Laura thanks for taking time. I have not purchased any lights yet. (Being the fact that I'm trying to learn the best options and I am extremely indecisive.) As far as going high tech in future I'm not sure. I tend to go overboard on things and I'm trying to keep this kinda simple so let's just say I'm staying on the low side.
I'm not stuck on odyssea, it was recommended by a member and I like the price. And that's it. What about t5 2x 21w. I think coralife has one for a good price. Would that be enough? I just keep thinking that since it is a taller tank I need more. Again this is my novice mind thinking here.
All I know is my current lights are horrible and I can't decide to save my life.
But to go back on what u said about upgrading later. If I spend $50ish now and decide to go big later, I'm ok with that. I could find a use for a spare light fixture.
Ps. I can't hang the fixture., its in a hood.

 

[jas1313]

Do u think heat can be an issue? It is part of the reason I was thinking led but didn't think heat would be a major problem. I made the hood around 10" deep and the back is completely open. Any issues and I can always add a fan.

 

[jas1313]

Well I've narrowed it down a bit. Coralife t5no. Deep blue t5no. The deep blue has the moon lights but I'm not sure if that's a deciding factor or not. Any opinions on these 2. Never owned either brand before.
I still like the current sat+ but if u guys say don't, then I'll get it out of my head. (And save some money)

 

[jas1313]

I'm sure everyone is on pins and needles waiting for an update so here it is; went with the 36" finnex planted +. After hours of reading and going back and forth, bla bla.
I hope it does well. Just got it so I can only comment on visual for now which is awesome. My tank is actually bright. So that's a plus.
Thanks for everyone's input.