Christmas Lights

[Wett Hands]

I'm sure this wont be the only post like this but....

I mentioned that I wanted to get into having a planted aquarium to my girlfriend a few weeks ago. I also remember mentioning that the most expensive part of keeping plants was decent lighting. Well low and behold, guess whats under the christmas tree ?

I have a 6700K 2x65 watt 24" coralife fixture now for my 20H tank. --> Coralife

1) this fixture gives me about 6.5 WPG correct? (sounds like an algae problem waiting to happen if i'm not careful)

2) I'd like to hear any and all suggestions on plant selection

I am still doing my research on ferts, substrate, DIY CO2 (possibly) :read:

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[imhandy2]

Nice Fixture

I have the same one but 4x65w. It has two switches right.
for sure don't have both bulbs on all the time, stager them.
ie: lets say you want them on for 12 hours, then have one on for 11am to 11 pm, and the second lamp on for 2pm to 8pm.
It is a little less stressfull on the fish.

You may want to maybe have them on for 8-10 hours total.
6.5wpg is kickin, definately as you said, c02 will be needed.
I use flourite(brown) as my substrate, looks good and works well.
Enjoy.


Terry.

 

[tre8160]

Yeah as mentioned above. co2's no longer an option with that much lighting. It's a must!

 

[Wett Hands]

I use flourite(brown) as my substrate, looks good and works well.
Enjoy.


Terry.

Thanks for the info so far everyone.
I will probably use flourite also and i was curious...

Should I replace my entire substrate with flourite or can i just add it to my current gravel. I'm wondering if removing all the gravel will make my tank cycle.

 

[nursie]

I have 30 lb of fluorite mixed with about 40 lb of sand in my 55 and it's fine. I'll bet you could mix with you r existing gravel. Clean it first.

 

[imhandy2]

I have 30 lb of fluorite mixed with about 40 lb of sand in my 55 and it's fine. I'll bet you could mix with you r existing gravel. Clean it first.

I too mixed my flourite with regular brown substrate around the same ratio. Even at that it cost me over $150.00 for my 75 gall.

As long as your happy with how it looks mixed with your existing substrate, Once it is done it is done, you don't want to re-do it.

Regards,

Terry.

 

[reiverix]

If your going DIY CO2 you might want to also supplement with Excel. I do that on a 20g with 5wpg and it's worked out good. DIY might not be stable enough on it's own with your wattage.

You will be better off with a high plant mass and with 6.5wpg, your choice of plants is virtually endless. Start with fast growers, replacing them with nicer plants as things settle down.

 

[z71silverado98]

<---- 2x55 AHS compact retro.

ive calculated im at either 3.6wpg or if the AHS claim of +62% light increase over the competetors is right id be more around 4.5wpg