[pythagorus]

Okay, so I just started a new tank. First a list of info,

-90 Gallon
-Fluval Canister filter
-4x65 Coralife (T5?) watt lighting with half blue half white lights.
-Small 45 gram co2 bottle with bubble counter (about 1.5-2 bps)
-heater set at 80 degrees (for cycling purposes)
-water parameters are,
0-ammonia
0-nitrites
pH-7.6 throught 7.9
Off the charts Nitrates (it just finished fishless cycle) ill be doing some big water changes tonight.
-Substrate is 3 bags Eco-Complete
-0 fish as of now.

Ive also added the reccomended dosage of terta Plant fertalizer

Plants inclued
-Dwarf Hairgrass
-Amazon Sord
-Java Fern
-one unknown small leafy plant (not at home cant see packaging) you may destinguish from my attached picture.

Just a few questions here,

Is co2 nessesary for this tank? I have a very small bottle of co2 in use, but i was considering ceasing the co2 injection when im out. will this ruin the balance?

Is there anything listed above that strikes you as abnormal?(except the huge nitrate number)

how often should i fert the tank?

Is my lighting sufficiant? or Do i have too much lighting for my plants to take in?

I would love to hear any and ALL advice for keeping my tank healthy.

I really want my plants to stay alive as ive invested alot of money into them.

Thank you everyone on this wonderful website! :smile::fish:

 

[Diana]

The very high NO3 is normal for the end of the fishless cycle when the tank has so few plants. As you are already planning, big water changes, then it is ready for fish.
Not familiar with that light, so I cannot comment on how bright it is, and if you need CO2. If you can set it up at a low level and keep it going that would be best. Not turn it on and off.

 

[pythagorus]

Thanks! So you recomend not turning it off at night? Ive hear that plants dont use co2 at night but keeping it running keeps co2 at a good level, but ive devcided to turn it on an hour before lights on everyday. just to conserve the small amount of co2 I have available.

Would you happen to know if its fine to remove co2 from any given aquarium without any consequences?

 

[Centromochlus]

-Small 45 gram co2 bottle with bubble counter (about 1.5-2 bps)

A 45 gram CO2 bottle is not a worthwhile investment on such a large tank... you will never be able to maintain a consistently high CO2 level. IMO, they should only be used on nano tanks if a refillable canister is totally out of the question. I can't see that thing lasting on your tank for more than a week, and probably not even a day if higher CO2 levels were maintained.

I would recommend just using the two of the 65 watt bulbs, preferably the white ones, and discontinue use of the blue bulbs. More than 2 bulbs over your tank without proper CO2 injection may lead to algae issues. You can always add more white bulbs later down the road if needed.

Good start overall!

P.S. I see you're from Phoenix! Make sure to check out AAPE (Arizona Aquatic Plant Enthusiasts) if you haven't already.

 

[pythagorus]

A 45 gram CO2 bottle is not a worthwhile investment on such a large tank... you will never be able to maintain a consistently high CO2 level. IMO, they should only be used on nano tanks if a refillable canister is totally out of the question. I can't see that thing lasting on your tank for more than a week, and probably not even a day if higher CO2 levels were maintained.

I would recommend just using the two of the 65 watt bulbs, preferably the white ones, and discontinue use of the blue bulbs. More than 2 bulbs over your tank without proper CO2 injection may lead to algae issues. You can always add more white bulbs later down the road if needed.

Good start overall!

P.S. I see you're from Phoenix! Make sure to check out AAPE (Arizona Aquatic Plant Enthusiasts) if you haven't already.

I figured that would be the case. My bulbs arfe those weird dual like fixtures, the blue and white are both connected to the same fixture, so i cant do much about that.

Is the AAPE a store? sounds amazing ill have to check it out!

 

[Raymond S.]

T5 are usually 54W bulbs(?)
Consistant CO2 is better even if much lower but/w 4 bulbs you do need it if only
fairly temporary. If the fixture will work/w two bulbs it would be better till you get good plant growth. Those 50/50 bulbs usually have 10,000K for the non blue half which is
likely in the high range/w 4 of them. But check your fixture on the T5 chart on this.
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=184368
Using a lot of guess work it seems to be 80-90 PAR and half of that may not be enough for the Dwarf Hairgrass.
Either add fish now or keep adding ammonia till you do or the beneficial bacteria will die.

 

[pythagorus]

T5 are usually 54W bulbs(?)
Consistant CO2 is better even if much lower but/w 4 bulbs you do need it if only
fairly temporary. If the fixture will work/w two bulbs it would be better till you get good plant growth. Those 50/50 bulbs usually have 10,000K for the non blue half which is
likely in the high range/w 4 of them. But check your fixture on the T5 chart on this.
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=184368
Using a lot of guess work it seems to be 80-90 PAR and half of that may not be enough for the Dwarf Hairgrass.
Either add fish now or keep adding ammonia till you do or the beneficial bacteria will die.

Good info Ill be sure to look into the chart.
Do you think the massive amount of nitrates will harm the plants?

 

[Centromochlus]

I figured that would be the case. My bulbs arfe those weird dual like fixtures, the blue and white are both connected to the same fixture, so i cant do much about that.

Is the AAPE a store? sounds amazing ill have to check it out!

Nope, we're just a local aquarium club with a bunch of plant geeks. :smile: We host monthly meetings around the valley that include a plant auction, great food, and lots of conversations. There's also a yearly raffle. It's a lot of fun; all ages and experience levels are welcome!

I would try replacing the dual white/blue bulbs with full white ones if possible.

 

[PlantedRich]

I would think that less like may be good. Several ways to get around that. Reduce the number of bulbs if some will work with other taken out. Some fixtures will, some won't. Reduce the amount of time the lights are on. A $4-5 timer is handy for this. Raise the fixture? Propped higher, hung from ceiling, Hung off a curved electrical conduit?
The reason for less light is that you will be less apt to get overrun with algae. Don't sweat it too much. Most of us have some except for those who don't admit it!
High nitrate is no problem with no fish as it is fertilizer for plants. Too much is bad for fish!!!