I am a college student in the unfortunate condition of being broke and into planted tanks. This combination leads to my question: I am starting up the biggest tank I have done yet (and I dont have too much experience with any other sizes, to be honest) and am not sure if I have done the lighting right. I have a 95 gallon tank that measures 36 inches long by 25 deep and 24 wide. I bought a greenhouse metal halide grow light (6600 nm) and ballast both rated at 400 watts. My question is whether or not this setup is too much light and if there is something about using designed-for-greenhouse lights that is bad.
400watts of mh, good or bad?
- Thread starter Hoobahans
- Start date
The biggest question would be if it has a reflector to focus the light into the tank. I would think in a greenhouse it would want wider distribution, like a shop-light, then you would normally use for a fish-tank.
Also, 400 W of metal halide is a LOT of light for that tank. Even if it does work, you'll have to strike a very delicate balance to avoid pulling out a couple pounds of hair algea every week. I don't know if it's too much, but I personally would go lower. You allready have it though? I suppose it can't hurt to try it
Also, 400 W of metal halide is a LOT of light for that tank. Even if it does work, you'll have to strike a very delicate balance to avoid pulling out a couple pounds of hair algea every week. I don't know if it's too much, but I personally would go lower. You allready have it though? I suppose it can't hurt to try it
It came down to a choice between 200 or 400 watts, so I opted for the bigger. I am planning on keeping a very large population of cherry shrimp and ottos that I hope will keep down the algae. The reflector concentrates the beam pretty well on a small patch and the sides of the reflector are actually bendable, so I guess I can adjust it. Anyway, thanks alot for the advice! I suppose I shouldnt comlain in any case seeing as the light only cost me 120.
Hair algae may be the least of the problems. You could end up with all sorts of algae with that high of a light and no CO2.
Isn't halide out of the range for plants? I thought those were only good for SW reef tanks?
Roan
Isn't halide out of the range for plants? I thought those were only good for SW reef tanks?
Roan
Actually metal halides are used over planted tanks.
If the reflector is decent - and even adjustable - then just hang the light higher off the water to reduce intensity a bit.
If the reflector is decent - and even adjustable - then just hang the light higher off the water to reduce intensity a bit.
Halides are just much brighter then flourescent... they make them in color spectrums for plants. In saltwater tanks, you actually usually have a flourescent actinic bulb and the MH bulb at around 10K.
halide are great lights for planted tanks but . . . wow
your talking about saving $ how are you going to afford the power bill?
2nd- you're going to have to have A LOT of CO2 and ferts (which cost money) for your plants to out compete algae at that light level
another thing to consider is that the 2-3 watts per gallon is somewhat limited to the mid sized tanks b/c if you have a small planted tank like 5-10 gallons you'll want more and in the really high volume tanks you don't need as much. (I can't remember exactly where i read this but i seem to remember it being in an Amano article)
so you might want to consider exchanging the 400 for the 200 i think you'll be better off as far as the costs you're going to incure and the amount of elbow grease you'll be investing.
your talking about saving $ how are you going to afford the power bill?
2nd- you're going to have to have A LOT of CO2 and ferts (which cost money) for your plants to out compete algae at that light level
another thing to consider is that the 2-3 watts per gallon is somewhat limited to the mid sized tanks b/c if you have a small planted tank like 5-10 gallons you'll want more and in the really high volume tanks you don't need as much. (I can't remember exactly where i read this but i seem to remember it being in an Amano article)
so you might want to consider exchanging the 400 for the 200 i think you'll be better off as far as the costs you're going to incure and the amount of elbow grease you'll be investing.
Thats alot of advice, I guess that while I am here I might as well explain my situation and see if anyone ahs advice. I go to school in Washington and live in Minnesota. I would buy a 200 watt light but I am actually flat broke, I paid for all the rest using an on-campus job and presently all that is going to buying tickets to get home.
Heres my set-up:
95 gallong tank (36l 25h 24w)
1 Jebo 828 Odyessea fiter
1 300 watt Catalina Aquarium Titanium Heater
4 DIY cooling fans in the hood (to keep that mh under control)
125 lbs Flourite
7 pieces of Mopani Driftwood
1 DIY auto top-of system
20 DIY moonlights
1 400 watt mh growlight
When I go home for spring break next week I will set it all up and add water. After giving it a week siting I plan to add some christmas moss (or taiwan moss, is there a difference), riccia, and fissiden. I chose them because they are tough and expensive. I want to get a small amount and then let them grown until I come back in summer so I can have a bunch to use. I also choose them because I heard they are good at out-competing algae, which I hope they will at least do a little.
If all goes well I plan to order 20 cherry shrimp or so and have my sister, who will take care of the tank in my absence, put them in to start a breeding population that might control the algae.
Once its summer I will install a presurized CO2 system and plant it heavily. By the way, is it worth it to add a ph sensor to automate the CO2 system?
Is this all absurd? Any advice?
Heres my set-up:
95 gallong tank (36l 25h 24w)
1 Jebo 828 Odyessea fiter
1 300 watt Catalina Aquarium Titanium Heater
4 DIY cooling fans in the hood (to keep that mh under control)
125 lbs Flourite
7 pieces of Mopani Driftwood
1 DIY auto top-of system
20 DIY moonlights
1 400 watt mh growlight
When I go home for spring break next week I will set it all up and add water. After giving it a week siting I plan to add some christmas moss (or taiwan moss, is there a difference), riccia, and fissiden. I chose them because they are tough and expensive. I want to get a small amount and then let them grown until I come back in summer so I can have a bunch to use. I also choose them because I heard they are good at out-competing algae, which I hope they will at least do a little.
If all goes well I plan to order 20 cherry shrimp or so and have my sister, who will take care of the tank in my absence, put them in to start a breeding population that might control the algae.
Once its summer I will install a presurized CO2 system and plant it heavily. By the way, is it worth it to add a ph sensor to automate the CO2 system?
Is this all absurd? Any advice?
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