Which should I get?

[PurpleSmurf]

I have a 20 gallon that needs better lighting than what it has, 2 14w spiral flourescent bulbs in a ten gallon light strip. I've always wanted moon lighting and now I've found it for a decent price (the PC bulbs at my LFS cost the same at the 20" hood).

Anyway, I was wondering if I should just get this (http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=29595;category_id=1869;pcid 1=1843;pcid2=) (20" 40watt PC with moon light) or spend the extra $5 and get this (http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=29597;category_id=1869;pcid 1=1843;pcid2=) (24" 65watt PC with moon light)

Also, what are the light controllers that simulate sun rise and sun set called and where can I buy one?

[cohazard]

It depends on what type of plants you want. I think you could start keeping some of the high-light plants with the 65w hood (don't forget that CO2 and additives will be a must). With the 40w hood, you'll be dealing with moderate-low light plants.

The controllers are called timers. You set the time you want the lights to turn on, and when you want them to turn off. You should be able to find them on BigAls's or in any LFS/Big Chain store.



HTH,
Serg

[PurpleSmurf]

Will dosing with Flourish Excell and Flourish be enough to keep some high light plants?

No, not the timers, they just click on and off, plus I already have one on my big tank. I want the ones that fade the lights.

[cohazard]

If you mean fade the lights as in dimmed lights, I'm not sure you're supposed to do that with flourescents. If you mean fade the lights as in staggering which lights get turned on and off, how's this:

Power Center (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=11379&N=2004+113348)

I don't have experience with High-light tanks (since I've only kept low-lights), but I don't think flourish and flourish excel will cut it. :confused:


HTH,
Serg

[pophead]

only liquid ferts won't be that great with high lights. try C02 as well.

[PurpleSmurf]

Will this work? I don't fancy paying $40 every 2-6 months though.

Should I just go buy a Co2 tank from my local paintball shop?

http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=19231;category_id=2873;pcid 1=3349;pcid2=

[cohazard]

I've never heard of that product being used by anyone on these boards before. Well, I don't frequent the planted forum too often either so I could be wrong.

If that thing works, that would deffinitely push me to setup my first high-light tank.

I hope someone else chimes in with more experience.


Serg

[PurpleSmurf]

I think I'm gonna go DIY.

The paintball CO2 might run me $20, but I may be able to get a canister from a friend, ridding me of overhead cost. Though... a small backup canister would also be nice to have for keeping the pH stead when I have to get the main refilled.

After the canister everything is pretty cheap. A small pump for $10, I already own a gravel vac I can disassembal and a new one will only run me $8, and CO2 proof tubing is like $1 per foot.

Will I need a bubble counter or should I just wing it? Is there a regulator I can get?

[cohazard]

If you go to aquabuys.com, they have everything you need for a planted tank, and they have good prices too.

When adding C02 (which is a must with high-light tanks), especially with DIY co2, you need to keep track of your bubble count. After a while the sugar/yeast mixture starts to lose it's effectiveness resulting in a lower bubble count, and you need to make a new batch.

The addition of co2 affects ph by lowering it. So you must be wary of your ph.

You can guy a ph detector that lets you know your ph levels just by looking at it. I think milwaukee has a bundle on their ph detector and a co2 regulator.


HTH,
Serg

[Alex Perez]

The Carbo-Plus CO2 System is junk stay away from it.

Using a paintball CO2 tank is not a good idea. It won't last very
long and after getting all the parts needed to get it to work
it is much more expensive than a Normal CO2 system.

Forget about dimming flourescents, It can be done but the
cost it way up there. Just have the light on a timer and
have them turn off and on as you like. Leave Lights on for
10-12 Hours per day.

If you go with the 40watt Light Fixture you'll be at 2 WPG.
if you go with the 65 watt Light Fixture you'll be at 3.25WPG.

With 2 WPG you can get away without CO2, but CO2 will help.
With 3.25WPG You need CO2 or you will have lots of algae.

And with eithier attage regular fertilization will be needed.
The amount of fertilizer and frequency of dosing the ferts is
depentant on many things. (Lights, Tap water Param, CO2, Plants, Bio-Load).

[PurpleSmurf]

I'll look around for large tanks of CO2. What size should I be looking for to last... 3 months? and how much should I expect to spend. $70-$100 is going to be my limit since I still have to buy my light.


If I can't find a big enough tank for the price I want I'm going to go this route:

Red Sea CO2 Bio-Generator (https://secure.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_sku=22970)
4 x Red Sea CO2 Bio-Generator Refill (https://secure.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_sku=22971)
Red Sea CO2 Bubble Counter (https://secure.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_sku=22975)
NutraFin Test Kit pH High Range (7.4-8.6) (https://secure.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_sku=1952)

I'm not going to pay for an infusor since I can make one myself.

[PurpleSmurf]

bump