Lighting for planted 125

J

jandrus

AC Members
Feb 5, 2009
44
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0
Pa USA
Im working on the plan for a planted 125 and have the oppertunity to have 2 250 watt metal halide fixtures from work. They have new 4300k bulbs in them. I already have a 48 inch smart light to hang. this would be aprox 600 watts of light about 14 inches above the open top tank. the tank is built into the wall so no light will be seen in viewing area other than whats in the tank.
So is 4300k ok? Will i fight algae? will the color blen with the smart light?

I plan to use pressurized co2, 30 gal wet dry with uv in return. Thoughts?:help:
 
my LFS guy told me sumps (wet dry???) are a no no. you're losing alot of the CO2 you pump in, with all the surface tension (is that the right word choice)...

with the lights, I think the metal halides are totally fine, watt wise and penetration. (thats why they're used in salt water tanks alot) as for the light spectrum...I really, really don't know, i personally always lean towards the 6700k zone.
 
depends on how the sump is set up..
if the over flow chamber can be sealed you may not lose that much CO2
you may want to make sure overflows are fitted with standpipes tho.

this is similar to the style sump I have...the large chamber can be sealed to keep from losing CO2.. baffles as it goes to the return keep CO2 trapped in chamber.

sump.jpg
 
I was told if you inject the return area it works well also because the return pipe is deep enough that the co2 enriched water will be in main tank more, if that makes sense.
 
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