Growing Plants Under Perspex Sheet Cover

[PJGoblin]

Hi

Need some help, I have had a 37.5 gall tank placed within a wall,
I have 1x Arcadia Freshwater Lamp 36" 900mm long 1" diam 30 watt &
1x Arcadia Plant Grow Lamp 36" - 900mm long 1" diam 30 watt
Between them and the tank I have perspex cover to stop water evaporating that over time
is slightly opaque.
Tank size 39"l x 19h x 14d

I can not get plants to last, going pale and brown eventually dying.

Even tried a DIY CO2 setup with 1 bubble per second through salt water solution to an air stone in the tank, in order to try and get the plants to survive.
(This has only been running for a week)


Have I got the write size bulbs or do I need more watts in the tank.?
I calulate 1.6WPG need min 2WPG.....!

Is the cover causing the problem stopping allot of light coming through.?

Are the bulb reflectors any good any do the make allot of difference.?

Regards

PJGoblin

 

[Squid]

I can't answer the whole question, but I have been able to grow plants well with no CO2 and 1.3WPG. I use reflectors, and they do make a difference with directing the light.

I'm not sure if your perspex is causing an issue, but I think that it might be.

Out of interest, what plants have you tried to grow?

Cheers,
Squid

 

[aaronnorth]

I use a cover on my tank also (the 216l in my sig) and that has 1WPG T5.

it could be a carbon and/ or nutrient defficiency, melting is usually down to poor CO2 though. Are you dosing any fertilisers?

 

[PJGoblin]

Hi

Update on main post:

Ordered some glass today, after looking and going back to basics the light penetrating through opaque perspex cant help.!!!!

I have made a full sheet light deflector for the bulbs to help even if a little.

I am using standard "Plant Food" by "King British" once a fortnight. (getting sort algae bloom straight after....!)

Any Help regarding bulb sizes and wattage for tank size.......!
39w x 19h x 14d

Cheers

PJGoblin

 

[RadaR]

I am using standard "Plant Food" by "King British" once a fortnight. (getting sort algae bloom straight after....!)

Nothing to do with the fertiliser (the bloom).