GE Edison 24w CFL

[Phyroath]

Hello everyone,

I started my 40g low light just yesterday. Found GE Edison 24w spiral CFL with 6,500K and I fitted 4x23w to my hood. This would be 2.4wpg and it really looks much brighter than in my 29G Osram CFL 3,500k (3.3wpg).

Should it be Ok to have medium light plants?

I am not planning to inject CO2 in this tank. Will get pic soon.

[Bk718]

you would be fine with medium light plants but try and add some carbon source to the tank along with ferts.
You might be able to pull off the tank without co2/ferts if you only keep the light on for slightly less than 8hrs a day

[Mgamer20o0]

oh bk he can pull it off. problem with those cfl bulbs is there is a lot of restrike. a lot of light gets shined back on its self. i think you would be fine with out co2 or ferts.

like i tell everyone. try it. more so since you have a higher light tank move some med light plants over and see how they do. its not always as easy as put this wpg over this tank and every single med light plant is fine.

[Phyroath]

Thanks BK and Ggammer, will report on how I am going with it. I have Hygrophila Augustifolia, Water sprite, L. Sessiliflora and microswords - all cutting and pruning from my 29g. Will have java moss and anubias. I know microsword won't do - just leave it there. Algae outbreak is my concern when adding CO2.

[Mgamer20o0]

co2 wouldnt cause algae.

[Cory Keeper]

Yeah, If anything CO2 will prevent an algae outbreak. That said, I will add a disclaimer.

Be forewarned not to expect great results. Your 29g is probably going to have better growth than your 40g, and algae will probably be horrible in your 40. I tried 3 23w CFLs for my 29g, it sucked. Light was lackluster at best. Low light plants would grow but thats about it. Anything else and it just wasn't gonna work.

[Phyroath]

Appreciate your kind advice - would keep your forewarning in mind, I agree Cory for CFL. Here some pics - I got the filter output into a hole in the driftwood.

[Bk718]

why's the outflow in the wood??

[Phyroath]

Because I am using internal filter. The output is very strong and I can not have plants in front of it as it would pull all any plant. This is a Chinese made strong filter with 2 outputs - one to the filter media box above my tank and another one I made it flows into the hole in that driftwood - that the 3rd world way of aquarium filtration.

[Bk718]

What ever works.. right?? lol

Just make sure to have good water movement in the tank, dead spots = algae.

[Fordtrannyman]

Pretty cool Phyroath. I think you will have great success with this tank without C02 and ferts. As long as your source water has lots of nutrients in it already and you replace it 50% weekly.

[Phyroath]

Thanks FTM,
My initial plan as in my previous post was to have Anubias and Java moss in that tank but I lost my java moss package due to mishandling of my PTS so have to wait for reship package. I dose my 1 drop/g fert daily. Since there is no fish in the take yet, it would be easy for me to challenge any problems.

[nguyendetecting]

what type of substrate are you going with?

[Phyroath]

Purely river gravel however I really don't like the size of the grain. I wanna move to sand perhaps on the foreground. Also would add laterite.

[icemanx23]

your filter seem to be like mine. I have atman 750hf chinese filter and it's really good. It's got a box that sit on the tank and two pump head configurations for water movement. The best thing about is it's so easy to clean the filter media compare to other type of filters.

[Phyroath]

Yay! I was thinking only me at AC use this kind of filter.

I find it difficult when you want plants in the corners. The filter media box sitting on top of the tank blocks my light. I got to find ways around all the time i.e. have some plants to hide it or trying to build the spray bar but that's this hobby is above - it is endless.