How Long To Leave My Lights On

[backtotropical]

Hi,

I am running 4 x 54w Plant Pro T5s over a heavily planted Vision 260 tank.

There are 2 switches on the Arcadia Luminaire, each controlling 2 bulbs.

My question is how long should i have 2 bulbs on, how long should i have 4 bulbs on?

Is something like a 3-4-3 (hours) schedule best?

I am dosing once per week with Tropica Liquid Fert and about once per month with Tropica Root Tabs. No CO2 (yet).

Any advice appreciated. Cheers.

 

[George Farmer]

Until you get CO2, do not run 4 tubes.

2 tubes for 9 hours is fine.

When you get CO2 then 3-4-3 is good. You'll need to dose ferts more frequently too. Consider EI.

 

[backtotropical]

Thanks George. I will use only 2 tubes meantime. How often do you recommend dosing ferts?

Out of interest, what effect would running 4 bulbs have? I've been doing it for a while now. There is a small amount of algae but nothing to speak of.

 

[George Farmer]

How long have you been running 4 tubes?

How heavily planted are you, and with what plants?

With good CO2 (30ppm) and 4 x 54w T5 you'll need to be dosing at least every other day. As I say, EI is a good start.

 

[SuperColey1]

Sounds like a huge amount of light over a 70G to me!!

Agree with George. I think you only need 2 tubes all the way and could probs get away with 1 tube for 3 hours either side of 2 tubes for 4 hours.

In answer to your question above running 4 tubes for 9 hours will be algae city until your tank has grown properly and dosing/CO2 balanced out properly. Even then will be a fine line between keeping it balanced and algae.

Andy

 

[backtotropical]

Thanks again.

I have been running 4 tubes for about 1 month now. As i said, no algae problems so far.

I have:

1 x Nymphaea Lotus (Zenkeri) (Small)
1 x Aponogeton Boivinianus (Approx 10")
1 x Aponogeton Madagascariensis (Small)
1 x Aponogeton Crispus (Approx 24")
1 x Crinum Natans (Approx 8")
1 x Lagenandra Twaithesi (Approx 4")
1 x Anubia Barteri (Approx 6")
1 x Cryptocoryne Undulatus (Approx 6")
1 x Microsorium Pteropus Mother Plant (Approx 10")
4 x Hydrocotyle Leucocephala (Small)
1 x Hygrophila Salicifolia (Approx 8")
3 x Limnophila Sessiliflora (Various sizes, largest 24")
3 x Echinodorus Mother Plants (Unknown Variety)
2 x Echinodorus (Unknown Variety)
1 x Echinodorus Red Special Mother Plant (Approx 12 - 18")
1 x Bacopa Caroliniana Mother Plant (Approx 8")
Various other unknown plants

Heres a pic of the tank as at tonight.

Should i start EI now or when i get CO2? Is it ok to use 4 tubes with EI and CO2?

Cheers.