SamH Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 I currently have one 2ft single 18w cool daylight tube mounted in a plywood box over my 2ft planted tank. The Java moss is doing well but the Java Fern, Bacopa and Polysperma aren't thriving. I'm planning on building a DIY lighthood (thread in the DIY section) and mounting 4 2ft 18w tubes over it. Is that enough light to grow plants decently? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AquaVitamins Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 Well if it isnt strong enough i hear that reflectors double your lights out put! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LYNDYLOO Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 You may need to feed these Plants aswell as supplying good lighting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted July 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2009 Any suggestions on ferts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nemines Posted July 14, 2009 Report Share Posted July 14, 2009 For what you've got, maybe leafzone for iron and potassium, then a trace mixture like Flora24 or Seachem trace or PMDD. then a carbon source like CO2 or Flourish excel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Posted July 14, 2009 Report Share Posted July 14, 2009 I definitely recommend a mixture of Flourish Excel and Flourish Comprehensive. It's worked for me, my plants are actually growing, and they're healthy - that's all I can hope for! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted July 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2009 I tried DIY CO2 injection in my nano grass tank but it got all weird and slimy. Where can I get some PMDD? The SeaChem products are expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Posted July 14, 2009 Report Share Posted July 14, 2009 True, the SeaChem stuff is expensive, but on small tanks (40L) you can get about 18 month's supply of the two I use for about $50. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supasi Posted July 14, 2009 Report Share Posted July 14, 2009 Where can I get some PMDD? The SeaChem products are expensive. PM'd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nemines Posted July 14, 2009 Report Share Posted July 14, 2009 SamH wrote: Where can I get some PMDD? The SeaChem products are expensive. PM'd haha PM'D about PMDD :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted July 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2009 How long will 100g of PMDD last if the ratio of PMDD to Water is 1:5 using at 2 drops per day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted July 14, 2009 Report Share Posted July 14, 2009 That's 500mL of water, pMDD mix. 2 drops is 0.05mL * 2 = 0.0001L for every 2 drops. so you have .5L so -> .5/0.0001= 5000 drops 2 drops a day, 5000 drops = 2500 days. ive had one hell of a day so if ive made a mistake let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted July 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2009 You're the number guy so if you're wrong then I don't know who's right! Wow, that's alot of days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted July 14, 2009 Report Share Posted July 14, 2009 :oops: I did make a mistake. Ill correct it and highlight it above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted July 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2009 Turns out you ARE human! Thanks, I'm far too lazy to do that kinda math Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted July 14, 2009 Report Share Posted July 14, 2009 lol. turns out even androids can make mistakes :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted July 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2009 Maybe you have a virus? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted July 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 Another question... What four tubes/bulbs should I use? All DayLight tubes or a special combo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted July 15, 2009 Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 how much money are you willing to spend on 4 tubes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted July 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 My pockets are slightly deeper than the tank but I don't have a real job. Aquarium tube prices are a killer, $50 for a 3 foot powerglo is too much for me. I'm not sure on an exact price I'd be willing to pay but around the $50 mark. The guy I'm getting my light fixtures off also has tubes, should I get a couple of DayLight tubes too? What combos do you guys have over your tanks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted July 15, 2009 Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 in that case, go to mitre ten and get some normal daylight tubes for about $5. 4 tubes is 20bucks. keep the extra 30 and either save it or buy some plants! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted July 15, 2009 Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 What combos do you guys have over your tanks? 2x 4ft 18000K T5 HO's ~$330+ 54Wx2 - bear in mind these are HO's so blindingly bright. 1x 4ft marine blue (low intensity) ~$40 - only comes on when i need to make plants flower - and to show off my dems lol 1x 4ft plant gro 6500K dull pink ~$60 - makes plants nice and happy. and 2x 2ft T5 HO 18000K on standby, currently used as a study lamp :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted July 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 Eeek! That's alot of light. I assume your plants are growing up and through the lids? :lol: If my math/calculator is correct, then: Each tube is 18w I will have four tubes 18 x 4 = 72 Therefore, I will be putting 72 watts of light over a 30cm tall aquarium. That enough? I have 2 x 30w tubes over my 3ft tank of the same height and the plants (excluding the hairgrass) are failing. Perhaps I'll turn that tank into a grass tank... Something like this maybe? (http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2 ... l=0&id=129) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted July 15, 2009 Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 Eeek! That's alot of light. I assume your plants are growing up and through the lids? :lol: were growing. i sold the whole lot. except for the rare plants, which are stored away safely until i need them back. see: flower stimulus and this tank, used 2x24W dull pink plant pros, no ferts, nothing fancy. just proves it can be done - just need to choose the right plants: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted July 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 Any suggestions on the "right plants"? How could you tear down such an awesome tank?! Please don't tell me that you turned it into an African Lake Cichlid tank! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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