to much light

1137 Views 9 Replies 8 Participants Last post by TheFoleys, Sep 24, 2012

plantlover

Discussion Starter · Sep 15, 2012

so i have a 260 watt pcf light on my 55g tank is this considered to much for a high light tank with c02 an lots of ferts?im new to tha planted tank an have wanted a lush tank full of plants,can somebody give me a lil help to make this tank a happy garden..

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leo90au

· #2 · Sep 16, 2012

1.25w per liter is considered high light indeed!! but not a problem if u can keep the CO2 and nutrients up to them, just means more work for u, your plants will grow like mad tho lol..

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KFryman

· #3 · Sep 16, 2012

Watts per gallon doesn't mean anything, now, 2 wpg in T5 is much different than the same in T8...

Hoppy would know much more than I do though. I know it depends on the reflector quality, height over the substrate, and the bulb's power. If you don't get help on this thread I wouod PM Hoppy.

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Hoppy

· #4 · Sep 16, 2012

Many of those PC lights were made with essentially no reflectors - Coralife lights were one example. With those, you wouldn't have too much light. But, with a light with good reflectors, like the AH Supply light kits, you would have high light, so it would be too much light unless you also use pressurized CO2, good fertilizing, good tank maintenance, etc.

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plantlover

Discussion Starter · #5 · Sep 22, 2012

Thanks for the help you guys. I believe the coralife light that I have, does have reflectors. So, in terms of the amount of light that my tank is receiving, how much do you think I am getting? I am using CO2 injections, fertilizing, and doing biweekly 50% water changes.

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Steve001

· #6 · Sep 23, 2012

plantlover said:
Thanks for the help you guys. I believe the coralife light that I have, does have reflectors. So, in terms of the amount of light that my tank is receiving, how much do you think I am getting? I am using CO2 injections, fertilizing, and doing biweekly 50% water changes.

You'd would have to know the PAR (Photosynthetic Active Radiation) output too know how much light the plants are being exposed to from that make of light. Perhaps a web search will find an answer if no one here knows has an answer.

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Diana

· #7 · Sep 23, 2012

The difference between poor quality reflectors and good ones can mean the difference between medium and high light.

How are your plants doing?
Any algae? Which species?
Are all the fish wearing sunglasses?

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plantlover

Discussion Starter · #8 · Sep 23, 2012

The plants are all growing really well. There was alot of green slime-looking algae, it peeled off the sand in layers. I cut my light in half, introduced three flying foxes to my tank and between them and my two plecos the algae is minimal. Some still remains on my driftwood but it no longer looks like slime, it looks like dust. Don't know what species of algae if thats what you are asking. But my large amazon sword appears to be flowering, I'm really excited! The dwarf sagittarius has sent off multiple runners. The Hygrophila corymbosa Angustifolia has a rich green color and has almost reach the top of the tank. Water Sprite is prolific. I am constantly trimming it and hope to replace it with something else soon. Had a few giant baby tears and they were completely overtaken by the water sprite and died. My new favorite is my ludwigia repens, it is showing a beautiful shade of red under its leaves. I guess thats about it

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Leebee

· #9 · Sep 24, 2012

plantlover said:
so i have a 260 watt pcf light on my 55g tank is this considered to much for a high light tank with c02 an lots of ferts?im new to tha planted tank an have wanted a lush tank full of plants,can somebody give me a lil help to make this tank a happy garden..

That sounds like a lot of light to me, I only have 2x54watt t5 over my 4 foot co2 tank. I trim like a mad man, and no algae. Change 100 liters every 2 weeks, and only fert very minimal. So far so good. :fish: