a question about k's

[cpn_aaron]

Hey everybody,
I have a 55 gal aquarium I've been slowly planting for the past year. I'm a psuedo-newbie to the planting world. No real disasters, but growth hasn't been great and I'm upgrading the lighting and getting a CO2 system in real soon. My tank is only a 55 gal right now, but I have plans to upgrade to a 90 gal this fall as a permanent home for the plants and my fish (quite a few larger fish species like pike cichlids, tire track eels, and other larger oddballs). My questions are with the lighting, is MH versus PC better? I found a great local deal for a 400 watt MH setup cheap. The only problem is the lighting is 10k, not the preferred 5-6.5k. I'm not entirely sure what these differences mean to my plants and if the 10k will have an adverse affect. Everyone seems to use 5-6.5k and I'm not sure why. Also, another question is whether the intensity of the bulb at this time in a smaller tank would cause any leaf bleaching. Basically I know very little about metal halide but it'd be a nice option for me since pc lighting is hard to come by to get 3-4 wpg to a 90 gal tank.

 

[Captain Hook]

That will give you VERY high light so be prepared with the CO2 and fertilizers. As for 10K, it should be fine for plants. All that really says is that the light will look more blue than a 5000K bulb. The 5000K bulb would look more yellow compared side by side with the 10K bulb.

I personally have no experience with metal halide but the stores around me seem to have good luck growing plants with them.

 

[cpn_aaron]

ok I think I can handle the bluish light situation. This set up is a steal and I really want to get my planted tank buffed up. I'm prepared for fertilizing, I already check levels frequently and keep on top of it. CO2 should be in and set up Weds. I'm excited to finally get on the road to some good growth. My plants were always limited by my light level (~2 wpg) and lack of CO2. I'm hoping to start adding high light plants and foreground grasses. What's a good grass to use for a quick thick foreground cover? I have many bottom dwellers and they would be more active if they could hide and move in thick cover. Plus I always liked the grass lawn look to a tank.

 

[djlen]

Large cichlids and plants, in many cases, don't mix. If you've had no problems with them eating your plants I'd be pleasantly surprised, and happy for you.

Tubes in the 5000-6500k range are closer to natural sunlight and to me, the most natural looking(6500k being the best), but I just put some 5000s over a 10gal. and they look nice.
Let us know what you get and how you make out with them and
also with the fish eating or not eating the plants.

Pressurized CO2 will be a must for that wattage in either a 55 or 90.

Len

 

[Captain Hook]

For foreground grasses you can use a hairgrass (eleocharis species) or Lilaeopsis. The hairgrass is a medium growing, medium light plant so it will be easier to grow. Lilaeopsis is a high light, slow growing, high demand plant. Both look very nice when they form "lawns".

 

[cpn_aaron]

I only have one cichlid, an orange pike and he shows no real interest in my plants. Hasn't ever since I got him almost 6 months ago. He likes his rock reef that he guards. It's his little castle. the other bigger fish use my plants as a means to hide and feel secure. Tearing my plants out is their last concern.