I have recently ordered an AHS 4x55w PCF setup, and have been getting the new tank (55 gallons) set up, and light fixture built. I ordered 5 bags of Flourite and added that. Had plenty of mulm and a handful of peat (pre-boiled) added under the Flourite. I had ZERO CLOUDING when filling the tank, btw!
My question is about the level of lighting I will have. This setup is quite bright (no need for other lights in the room when this is on
). I have it suspended above the tank, about 12" or so from the water surface right now, but It is suspended by brass chain, so I can adjust the height. I will have two 10 gallons on either side, next to, and parrallel to, the 55. Houseplants will be located behind all the tanks on a huge 8' tank stand I built (looks awesome). It will be an open topped tank (no glass lids) so light will be unobstructed. I can't add lids due to the fact that I have some uniquely shaped wood which looks like stalagmites coming up from the bottom of the tank and sticking about 6" and 2" out, respectively. I wish I had a digital camera to take pics of this setup, but I'm really impressed so far. Plants will be arriving next week in the mail, and I'm moving my current 20 gallon plants into it as well. I will have watersprite covering the water surface around the emerged wood (about half the tank), but the other half will be open for light penetration. One half of the tank will be used for my Anubias, Java Fern, and crypts (floating plant side), while the other is for light demanding species. I plan to let the plants protrude from the top as they fill in.
Sorry, I'm excited and wanted to give ya the details. Anyways, does a system like this require Pressurized CO2, and steady fertilizer regimen, or will it be considered moderate light, since it is suspended so high over the tank. Oh, and it will be peat-filtered water, so it will have a decent amount of tannin coloration, which should block some light as well. This is 4wpg of compact flourescent light (with AH supply reflectors.....NICE!). I don't want to get into trouble with algae from too much light, and no CO2 injection yet! I'm not sure I want to do CO2 unless this is too much light. I did feel that only two of these lights would not be enough for decent growth, so I ordered the 4 light setup. I'd like to back off of the high maintenance routine for a while, but have a nice tank. I have done everything right so far, and just don't want to mess up now, since the beginning is the crucial point! I've had many struggles with algae (mostly BBA and hair) in my 20 gallon, so I backed off from 70wpg to 40wpg, and it is still growing slowly in the tank!
I did the bleach dip thing about a month and a half ago, and the plants still haven't completely recovered. Anyways, this is getting LONG, so I'll hand it over for comments. Thanks!
My question is about the level of lighting I will have. This setup is quite bright (no need for other lights in the room when this is on
). I have it suspended above the tank, about 12" or so from the water surface right now, but It is suspended by brass chain, so I can adjust the height. I will have two 10 gallons on either side, next to, and parrallel to, the 55. Houseplants will be located behind all the tanks on a huge 8' tank stand I built (looks awesome). It will be an open topped tank (no glass lids) so light will be unobstructed. I can't add lids due to the fact that I have some uniquely shaped wood which looks like stalagmites coming up from the bottom of the tank and sticking about 6" and 2" out, respectively. I wish I had a digital camera to take pics of this setup, but I'm really impressed so far. Plants will be arriving next week in the mail, and I'm moving my current 20 gallon plants into it as well. I will have watersprite covering the water surface around the emerged wood (about half the tank), but the other half will be open for light penetration. One half of the tank will be used for my Anubias, Java Fern, and crypts (floating plant side), while the other is for light demanding species. I plan to let the plants protrude from the top as they fill in. Sorry, I'm excited and wanted to give ya the details. Anyways, does a system like this require Pressurized CO2, and steady fertilizer regimen, or will it be considered moderate light, since it is suspended so high over the tank. Oh, and it will be peat-filtered water, so it will have a decent amount of tannin coloration, which should block some light as well. This is 4wpg of compact flourescent light (with AH supply reflectors.....NICE!). I don't want to get into trouble with algae from too much light, and no CO2 injection yet! I'm not sure I want to do CO2 unless this is too much light. I did feel that only two of these lights would not be enough for decent growth, so I ordered the 4 light setup. I'd like to back off of the high maintenance routine for a while, but have a nice tank. I have done everything right so far, and just don't want to mess up now, since the beginning is the crucial point! I've had many struggles with algae (mostly BBA and hair) in my 20 gallon, so I backed off from 70wpg to 40wpg, and it is still growing slowly in the tank!
I did the bleach dip thing about a month and a half ago, and the plants still haven't completely recovered. Anyways, this is getting LONG, so I'll hand it over for comments. Thanks!
Wife is gonna freak about additional costs! IS this really THAT much light after I tea-color it with plenty of peat (pre-treated, and in filter), and raise the lights maybe another 6 inches? This will be about 18 inches or so above the tank. I have about 2 1/2 - 3 feet of space to the ceiling over the tank (low ceiling, I know).