More Lights or CO2 Injection?

741 Views 7 Replies 5 Participants Last post by AquaticLeisure, Apr 23, 2014

AquaticLeisure

Discussion Starter · Apr 23, 2014

So.... I'm really set on growing baby dwarf tears. I have a 55 gallon that is about 20" deep. Substrate is about 3" deep, so it's about 17" from the lights.

I currently have a Current USA LED Pro+ lights. While it has a full feature-set, I'm learning that it doesn't provide enough light to carpet baby dwarf tears (HC).

I also purchased Excel and Excel Flourish (liquid ferts/CO2).

Given these details, I understand that I most likely won't be able to grow dwarf tears - especially not carpet them. So I'm looking at these options:

1) Add another Current USA LED Pro+ to get into medium light
2) Return my Current USA LED Pro+ and buy a Finnex Ray2 to get into medium light
3) Do not buy any new lights and add injected GLA CO2 system

I just don't have the budget to get CO2 injection AND the extra lighting... which do you think will be more beneficial to grow dwarf tears?

Also, side question: I currently have a common pleco that is about 10 inches. This will most likely tear up my plants, yes?

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HybridHerp

· #2 · Apr 23, 2014

AquaticLeisure said:
So.... I'm really set on growing baby dwarf tears. I have a 55 gallon that is about 20" deep. Substrate is about 3" deep, so it's about 17" from the lights.

I currently have a Current USA LED Pro+ lights. While it has a full feature-set, I'm learning that it doesn't provide enough light to carpet baby dwarf tears (HC).

I also purchased Excel and Excel Flourish (liquid ferts/CO2).

Given these details, I understand that I most likely won't be able to grow dwarf tears - especially not carpet them. So I'm looking at these options:

1) Add another Current USA LED Pro+ to get into medium light
2) Return my Current USA LED Pro+ and buy a Finnex Ray2 to get into medium light
3) Do not buy any new lights and add injected GLA CO2 system

I just don't have the budget to get CO2 injection AND the extra lighting... which do you think will be more beneficial to grow dwarf tears?

Also, side question: I currently have a common pleco that is about 10 inches. This will most likely tear up my plants, yes?

The pleco will tear up your plants, especially baby tears, 100% guaranteed.

Also, for HC, if you can only pick one then pick the co2 but...its honestly a high light AND high co2 plant...

Its also a bad idea to go into high light territory without co2...its just asking for algae issues.

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houbanna

· #3 · Apr 23, 2014

What about a ho t5 shop light from hardware store, check the price and then check out the price for co2. Just keep in mind the higher light generally requires co2 and u better have the ferts for it. Liquid co2 isbetter for smaller tanks imo, it will get expensive for a 55. Plus the flourish is not a complete means of ferts. I hope this helps with ur new adventure.

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AquaticLeisure

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 23, 2014

Okay - so it looks like I will probably shell out for the CO2. Here's the other issue:

I've already purchased the baby dwarf tears (along with blyxa japonica and green cabomba) and they are due to arrive on Friday. What's the best way to keep them alive? The baby tears are potted while the other plants are wrapped stems.

Should I go ahead and plant them in the aquarium? Or in ecocomplete outside of water? I won't have the CO2 / extra lighting setup until at least 7-10 days later. (I can probably get the light earlier if going with Amazon, but it seems like GLA might take a bit longer.)

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lamiskool

· #5 · Apr 23, 2014

Yep as others have noted for a 55g tank excell and liquid ferts will just end up costing you a ton in the long run, you might as well get powdered ferts and honestly bite the bullet and get a co2 regulator/tank. For a tank that size I would not recommend a paintball system either and you can get a milwaukee regulator from ebay for ~80-90 bucks. For the tank itself check out craiglists or something, hey are not that expensive and with a pressurized co2 it will make your experience with growing plants much much easier. Also as others have stated do not go with high lights especially without co2/fert. Id either get another current sat + or a finnex planted plus along with your current sat +.

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AquaticLeisure

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 23, 2014

Do you think adding a Finnex Ray2 is overkill? Maybe I should return my Current Sat + and get the Ray2? I'm just not sure how I feel about two separate brands of lights running at once. I like my Sat + (the options of colors/modes) but I feel it's more of a novelty gimmick thing...

I was looking at Milwaukee regulators - but there are some horror stories out there ending up with dead fish. That would devastate me. I'd rather pay money for something that is more reliable / lasts longer. (Which is why I'm looking at GLA regulators.)

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Raymond S.

· #7 · Apr 23, 2014

JFTR/FWIW The common Pleco gets 2' long.

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AquaticLeisure

Discussion Starter · #8 · Apr 23, 2014

Raymond S. said:
JFTR/FWIW The common Pleco gets 2' long.

I had to look up both those acronyms. Yeah, I'm aware. I purchased the tank off CL and he came with it. After realizing my tank isn't big enough (and he generates so much poop), I've already made plans to drop him off at the pet store that'll take him.

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