Thinking of going high tech to low tech

maxthedog123

maxthedog123

Can't have too many Tiger Barbs...
Jun 6, 2007
604
0
16
Cincinnati, OH
My 55g is somewhat high tech for a planted tank - pressurized CO2 and liquid ferts. My 30g tanks have no CO2 and I have never done any ferts. Pics here:

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138460

After getting my 30g tanks going with no co2, I've come to like the liesurely pace which the plants grow. Also, I have no algae issue (after getting past diatoms and BGA at startup) except for a bit of green spot (typical). In my 55g I seem to keep fighting a low level BBA issue and the plants grow an inch a day. Well, at least the H. polysperma grows an inch a day.

So, what about going from high tech to low tech in the 55g? The lights in my 30g tanks are 42W (1 6700K & 1 10000K) or 1.4 w/g. Lights over the 55 are 108w, same color, or 1.96 w/g. Is that too high a light level to just go low tech? I'd love to just shut off the CO2 and let the fish poop for fertilizer!!!
 
It may well work out. I have 2.1 watts per gallon over my 36 lnch 40 gallon and my plants do OK with no ferts or CO2. Of course I have low to moderate light plants.
 
There are 2 54w bulbs: 1x6700K and 1x10000K. I supposed I could take one out, but one is good for plants and one is a better color.

What do you think of just running the CO2 and skipping ferts? I am asking for trouble? Or what about shutting of the CO2 as well - do I have too high a light output for that??
 
Actually, I would suggest you increase the amount of light on your 55gal. by about 50%- ie add one more bulb. This will bring you closer to 3 wpg which I think may also help w/ your algae battles.
 
i was hoping you would be able to stager the lighting. like have one bulb come on 6 hours and the other 6 hours and 2 hours with them both on at the same time. try different things.... try cutting back on the hours the lights are on cut back on ferts.

Actually, I would suggest you increase the amount of light on your 55gal. by about 50%- ie add one more bulb. This will bring you closer to 3 wpg which I think may also help w/ your algae battles.
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i think he also wants the less work of having to trim plants back.
 
Mgamer20o0 said:
i think he also wants the less work of having to trim plants back.
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That was kind of the root cause. After getting my two 30g tanks set up, it's been great not having to stay on top of the plant maintenance quite as much with work and travel .

On thing I don't understand - how would MORE light will help the algae issues.

Mgamer - to answer your question about the lights - I cannot stagger the lights. My fixture only has one switch/plug.
 
gmh said:
It may well work out. I have 2.1 watts per gallon over my 36 lnch 40 gallon and my plants do OK with no ferts or CO2. Of course I have low to moderate light plants.
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I think most of plants are pretty much low to medium lighting. Here's what I have:

java fern
hygrophila polysperma
red ludwigia
narrow leaf ludwigia
red crypt

All of these seem to be growing pretty well in the 30g tanks.

Here's the $100 questions: if I just go "cold turkey" on the CO2 and ferts in the 55g, will the plants outcompete the algae?
 
One other thought on the BBA: I just read on another thread that BBA is often caused by either low CO2 or low nitrate. I don't dose nitrates other than what comes in Flourish, and my nitrates always test near nonexistant.
 
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