Hello, as I said in my introduction thread, I have been in saltwater reef keeping for almost 12 years and have taken the plunge to convert my 180 into a planted tank. I realize this will be a challenge but i am up for it...i think One of the questions I have is I am trying to keep as much equipment as I have and one of them is lighting. I have three 250 watt MH lights and I have taken one down. So I now have two spread across a 72 inch tank and mounted in a canopy that is about 16 inches above the tank and are also spread across the braces to create a bit of a shadow.
So I am wondering is this going to be too much light. I am currently trying my hand on the starter plants to get them going. Let me tell you a little about my set up to see if this helps or matters:
-180 gallon tank with dual overflows.
-no power heads will be used
-I am not currently using CO2
-I will cut the return pump back as much as I can to cut back on the amount of flow.
-All drain lines are submerged in water when the water returns into the sump
-I have my light cycle on about 6 1/2 hours
-I am using eco complete planted substrate about 3 inches deep
-Right now I have added about 40 or more plants and have realized that it sounded like a lot but when I put them in there I need about 3x that....YIKES
Thanks for your help and I certainly appreciate any advice you can give on the lights. Sorry for so much info but i was not sure if you needed it to help out more.
So I am wondering is this going to be too much light. I am currently trying my hand on the starter plants to get them going. Let me tell you a little about my set up to see if this helps or matters:
-180 gallon tank with dual overflows.
-no power heads will be used
-I am not currently using CO2
-I will cut the return pump back as much as I can to cut back on the amount of flow.
-All drain lines are submerged in water when the water returns into the sump
-I have my light cycle on about 6 1/2 hours
-I am using eco complete planted substrate about 3 inches deep
-Right now I have added about 40 or more plants and have realized that it sounded like a lot but when I put them in there I need about 3x that....YIKES
Thanks for your help and I certainly appreciate any advice you can give on the lights. Sorry for so much info but i was not sure if you needed it to help out more.