What kind of bulbs should I get?

Looks like the 80watt bulbs are for the 5foot t5ho fixture. Tank dimensions are 60x18x20, right? If that is the case, and you have the light directly on top of the tank, it would put you in the high light category, if the fixture has decent reflectors. Is it possible to run just a single light?
 
Ok, I was wrong. These are pictures I took as the problem began. It got MUCH worse.

tank1.JPG

tank5.JPG

tank4.JPG



This is the whole tank but these are NOT the current plants. Most of these died from being overrun by algae... You'll notice that this is also before any algae took hold.

tankview1.jpg

It's approx. 5 feet long, 2 feet deep, 4 feet high.

tank1.JPG tank5.JPG tank4.JPG tankview1.jpg
 
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jetajockey said:
Looks like the 80watt bulbs are for the 5foot t5ho fixture. Tank dimensions are 60x18x20, right? If that is the case, and you have the light directly on top of the tank, it would put you in the high light category, if the fixture has decent reflectors. Is it possible to run just a single light?
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Yes, they have reflectors. I'm not sure what "decent reflectors" are though. You got the measurements very close - it's a custom size tank.

So do I remove a bulb or cut the lighting time back?
 
hage0245 said:
As far as the algae goes, I can assume that's a matter of a lack of CO2. Have you considered getting pressurized CO2 at all?
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I am really trying to avoid spending any more on this tank right now. I did have it cut so I could add a UV system and/or CO2 system. I was hoping I could avoid something that complicated for the next few months.
 
I think your cheapest method would be to cut down to 1 bulb and see if it helps any. It would really help to get the exact dimensions of the tank because just a few inches of height on the tank changes things around.

I googled tank dimensions for a 5ft 100g and thats what I came up with, that's why i went with that.
 
If you are not looking to supplement with pressurized CO2 than I agree, see if you could just run one light. Your easy to grow plants would do just fine. Your tank is obviously quite large, but it wouldn't hurt to add a bottle or two of DIY CO2 just to give your plants a chance to out-compete the algae.
 
Try that and see what happens. If you still get algae, dose Excel every day. The half-life of Excel is only 12 hours.

I feel like such a hypocrite giving advice on how to avoid algae issues! I know a lot more about controlling algae that I put into action for myself.
 
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