OK, this is getting a bit skewed with topics. My mind has a difficult time keeping everything straight. I'm not a moderator, but a suggestion... in the future if you have a question that is off topic it would be a lot easier for everyone if you started a new thread.
Blinky, I recently doubled the wattage in one of my tanks with no ill affects to the plants, many of which are Crypts. I have not experienced negative affects to plants from increasing wattage. Having said that, I would suggest that you load up on some cheapie floaters (pennywort, water sprite and salvinia are great for this) to help shade the existing plants a bit. This will also help the fish adjust to their new environment.
My tanks hold probably double the plant mass that most would call 'normal' and this has made the job of re-balancing easier after increasing wattage. You will probably have to increase nutrient levels to accommodate faster growth, but I would do that slowly and as needed from observing the plants. Your CO2 level is fine. Are you using KNO3 in your PMDDs? I ask because you mention NO3 and K is needed as well.
You may find that more frequent dosing to maintain your levels will be necessary. That's a lot of wattage. Is an all purpose trace mix included in your regimen?
Greg- I agree completely with Blinky on Halogens. They must be elevated in order to compensate for the heat factor which negates many of the pluses from a penetration standpoint. I personally find them unattractive to look at as well......so much glare and wasted/lost light. There are ways to work a CF fixture onto your tank which will penetrate much better than NO lighting and, IMO more attractively than Halogen.
jeanp - It looks to me like the 30" set is a 1X65, or am I missing something?
You want to make sure the tubes you get are in the 6700K range.
If you have experience with a planted tank, you know what's involved and should go for it in my opinion. You will get good growth with 2X65 and will definitely find the need for CO2 injection as well at that wattage. If you are unfamiliar with nutrient dosing, read up because you'll need to know what your doing with that as well. At 3+ watts/gal., finding balance is important.
Len
Blinky, I recently doubled the wattage in one of my tanks with no ill affects to the plants, many of which are Crypts. I have not experienced negative affects to plants from increasing wattage. Having said that, I would suggest that you load up on some cheapie floaters (pennywort, water sprite and salvinia are great for this) to help shade the existing plants a bit. This will also help the fish adjust to their new environment.
My tanks hold probably double the plant mass that most would call 'normal' and this has made the job of re-balancing easier after increasing wattage. You will probably have to increase nutrient levels to accommodate faster growth, but I would do that slowly and as needed from observing the plants. Your CO2 level is fine. Are you using KNO3 in your PMDDs? I ask because you mention NO3 and K is needed as well.
You may find that more frequent dosing to maintain your levels will be necessary. That's a lot of wattage. Is an all purpose trace mix included in your regimen?
Greg- I agree completely with Blinky on Halogens. They must be elevated in order to compensate for the heat factor which negates many of the pluses from a penetration standpoint. I personally find them unattractive to look at as well......so much glare and wasted/lost light. There are ways to work a CF fixture onto your tank which will penetrate much better than NO lighting and, IMO more attractively than Halogen.
jeanp - It looks to me like the 30" set is a 1X65, or am I missing something?
You want to make sure the tubes you get are in the 6700K range.
If you have experience with a planted tank, you know what's involved and should go for it in my opinion. You will get good growth with 2X65 and will definitely find the need for CO2 injection as well at that wattage. If you are unfamiliar with nutrient dosing, read up because you'll need to know what your doing with that as well. At 3+ watts/gal., finding balance is important.
Len
