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Lighting for native/exotic plant tank-???


HaNs

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Im doing a native fish tank and will be using native and exotic plants.

I have 2 150w metal halides here with 6000k bulbs, would 300w be excessive for a cold planted tank that is 220L? Should i just use one halide?

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i wouldn't think so as long as other nutrients like co2 and ferts are in ample supply too. clearly if you've got 2 150w halides light isn't going to be the limiting factor but for the plants to actually use that light u need to supply everything else in extremely high quantities. furthermore, i wouldn't reccommend too many fish with that much light, as additional nitrate and phosphate with all that light could lead to an algae bloom- combat this with several fast growing natives to compete with this algae.

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2 x 150W halides over a 220L tank is possible but you would need a good co2 setup, and some good specialist ferts like PMDD....

On the other hand, 1 x 150W halide on a 220L wouldnt realy work either, as im guessing that your tank would be a 4 footer? and one halide wouldnt give enough light spread, because as a rule of thumb you should have one 150W halide per 60 x 60 area....

Have a read here and you should be able to find out heaps. Any other questions just ask!

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I have just under 10kg of pmdd here :o

Its 900mm long. Started up my halide's and think that one for the tank may do. Im going to make it so i can put a 2nd one in later if its not working.

With co2, whats a regulator worth these days?

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ohk at 900 long, one halide could work. Antwan had a 150W halide over his 3 footer and it was a stunning tank. i think i remember him saying that the plants on the ends would grow inwards a little bit to get to the light but other than that its not too bad.... heres some pics of how it used to be.... hope he doesnt mind

P8220003.jpg

P8220075.jpg

P8220004.jpg

HTH

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