CustomSealife PC

[JCason]

I am new to the planted tank scene and have a question b/c I can't find the answer in the search forum. First off the tank is a 29 gallon. I just got a fluval 304 canister filter and i'm using a diy co2 injection which I plan to run through the canister to help diffuse it. My question comes in with light. I just purchased a Custom Sealife PC that has twin 65 watt bulbs. It comes with a 10000 and actinic bulb. I already ordered a 6700K bulb since that is better for plants. My question is this. Will the 65 watts be good or should I also run a second bulb? There are separate switches for each bulb so I could put one in and not cut it on. My second question is if I should run the second what bulb (actinic, 10000K or order another 6700K)? I know you may think this hood is overkill but I plan on sometime using it for a small reef aquarium.

[superjohnny]

For DIY CO2 you want to keep your light under 3wpg. Actinic light isn't great for freshwater plants. Save that bulb for when you set up your tank as SW. 4.5wpg is going to give you nasty algae trouble if you don't carefully balance your nutrients & CO2. A single 65w bulb should be enough light for most plants.

[JCason]

I was looking at pressurized but I can't afford $300 for a good set-up. I was wondering if this could work. I used to have 2 nutrifin co2 kits working in there. Could I use those diffusers and run a co2 tank to them right now. This would save me a lot of money for right now since I would only need a tank and regulator and I could later get everything to do it right.

[superjohnny]

I've never tried it myself, but if you can keep the CO2 up and stable there's no reason it couldn't work. You are better off starting and establishing the tank as a low light tank and as you learn and begin to understand its needs move up in lighting & CO2.

My pressurized system was $168 and includes a Milwaukee all-in one regulator, solenoid, needle valve & bubble counter and an aluminum 5# tank. Add a PH controller for ~$100 and a diffuser for ~$60 if you need them. Do a search on this thread; it has been discussed exhaustively.