Lighting Poll

[coolie]

Please complete the following lighting poll and feel free to discuss!

 

[Man of fish]

Well I have cfl, dual T5 and LED lighting on my tanks. Filled out the poll for my T5s, but for LED I would have the same results with maybe a slightly longer photo period. CFLs would've been a slightly less photo period for me. My LEDs are on my marine tank.

 

[coolie]

What initially prompted me to start the poll, was being told by a friend that they should be replaced yearly (!?) news to me. Also of interest
to me is - how to stimulate plant growth in a CO2 tank whilst having reduced the photo period to deter string algae. And finally, does having newer
bulbs but the short photoperiod work for the plants?

 

[Man of fish]

Replacing the bulbs yearly will keep them working the most effectively but IMO it isn't necessary to do. I replace them when they die and my plants grow great and I love how they look ATM. Sad to break down my setup but my new tank that's almost double the size will be better. I am using the same light unit just in a bigger size. Keeping everything the same for the most part.

 

[Zante]

I have
- shrimp tank lighted by a tmc aquarium 500 LED tile,
- 80 litre tank lighted only by sunlight,
- 90 litre breeding tank with its stoc 2x18w T8 tubes
- 400 litre discus tank lit by 2x30w LED lights
- 550 litre reef lit by 2 Radion units (LED)

 

[levahe]

What initially prompted me to start the poll, was being told by a friend that they should be replaced yearly (!?) news to me. Also of interest
to me is - how to stimulate plant growth in a CO2 tank whilst having reduced the photo period to deter string algae. And finally, does having newer
bulbs but the short photoperiod work for the plants?

Be patient young padewan!

Get your co2 ferts and flow right and your plants will grow! It takes time and probably a bit of tweaking and you will see them grow.
I think you need to get some fast growing stems if you haven't already.
What lighting do you have?

 

[ncguppy830]

led all the way although i do neglect the lighting leaving it on to long

 

[Man of fish]

led all the way although i do neglect the lighting leaving it on to long

Timers are the way to go

 

[ncguppy830]

true that

 

[dgwebster]

What initially prompted me to start the poll, was being told by a friend that they should be replaced yearly (!?) news to me. Also of interest
to me is - how to stimulate plant growth in a CO2 tank whilst having reduced the photo period to deter string algae. And finally, does having newer
bulbs but the short photoperiod work for the plants?

 
I have only needed to replace specialist UVB reptile bulbs on a timescale because these do loose their UVB strength through time.
 
On the tank, just upgrading to 3 tubes right now, 2 primary tubes and a third "high noon" that is on a shorter timer for the middle of the day.

 

[coolie]

levahe, yes you got me. I'm waiting for miricle growth to start appearing in my new CO2 setup, while on the site in the planted section are posts from people about uncontrollable growth of their plants! I'm possibly impatient, but always analysing. Fascinating trends in the Poll BTW.

 

[coolie]

Bring to the top.

 

[FreshwaterAfishianado]

On my 55 gal I use 2 clip-on desk lamps with 40w equivalent cfl bulbs, have my timer set for 2 4 hour on periods with a 4 hour break in between. Seems to do well though I wouldn't call it heavily planted.
My wife's fluval spec V we use the LED lights that came with the tank with the same 4 on 4 off 4 on schedule and plants grow like crazy in that tank. No co2 in either.