Advice:

[cds]

I need to replace my bulbs in my hood. I have to admit that I pretty much bought the set-up blindly and now need more info. Anyway, I have the AHSupply 2x36W set-up. My tank is a 37 high and I currently have 72W, so it's just about 2W/gal.

My question is, according the AHSupply website, the 2x36 set-up and 2x55W set-up are identical, except for some of the rigging, clamps, etc. So should I buy two new 55W bulbs to push my watts per gallon closer to 3W/gal??

Also, can someone please tell me if I should get 5300k or 6700k??

I tired to get these questions answered from AHSupply but they didn't respond to my emails...

Thanks in advance to everyone that can offer this poor soul some advice.

Looking forward to your responses.

cds

 

[Matak]

It's a call shot, CDS. With the higher wattage, you will experience higher growth rates from your plants, but you will also have to be much more vigilant with algae control.

 

[djlen]

This is just my opinion.......6700K 'daylight' have been the best lights I've ever used. They say that 6700K is the closest thing to natural sunlight that you can get. My plants really respond to them.
Just my opinion...others will probably differ.

Why are you unhappy with 2watts/gal.?

Len

 

[cds]

I've had very poor plant growth, and have just introduced DIY CO2 to the tank. At 37G with 72W I'm just under 2W/gal. so I was hoping that higher W/gal. would stimulate plant growth. Should I not go higher than where I'm at?? Would the fact that my tank is 37 high necessitate a higher W/gal.??


Also, I'm considering adding flourite into the substrate as right now I just use the individual iron "tablets" in the soil. If I were to do this, how can I add the flourite without removing the livestock in the tank??

Thanks again everyone, can't tell you how much I appreciate the quick responses.

cds

 

[djlen]

I've started this 3 different times, trying to figure out the best way to explain this.......Flourite is a mess. It's the best substrate I've ever used, but initially it is quite messy. If you poured it into your tank it would look like black coffee with foam on the surface.
If you wash it well, it will still make the tank so cloudy you won't be able to see the back of the tank.
If I was going to add it, I would wash it well, pull the fish, drain the tank, save the water from the tank in containers, put the WELL WASHED Flourite into the empty tank.
Then take a shallow bowl and set it on the substrate and start filling the bowl back up with the original tank water, letting it over flow the bowl into the tank SLOWLY. If you fill the tank this way, you create minimal disturbance to the substrate and minimal clouding.
The best way I've found for washing flourite is putting 5-10# of it into a 5gal. paint strainer($1.50 at Home Depot) at a time and running the hose through it til the water runs clear. I have cleaned 75# of the stuff in 1/2 hr. with this method.

Len