New Setup Tube Upgrade?

[tomchurchman]

My setup has been going for a couple of weeks now and I'm already thinking of upgrading the tubes. Tubes supplied are both Hagen: 1 x PowerGlo and 1 x AquaGlo 42" 40W. Its a 55g tank.
I've been reading good things about the Arcadia tubes, namely the freshwater lamp and original freshwater lamp, however they are only rated at 38w for the 42" length. Also my reflectors are white plastic and I'm thinking of buying the arcadia metal reflectors.
I'm going for an Amazonian planted theme so growing:
Cryptocoryne,
Echinodorus,
Lilaeopsis
Ceratophyllum if I can find any
and possibly Cabomba
All thoughts greatly appreciated
Tom

 

[tomchurchman]

I've also got 2 x yeast reactors rigged up to a diffuser ladder.

 

[SuperColey1]

The Co2 systems won't be of much use for your size of tank. They are mainly for small tanks.

The lamps look OK and I have heard quite good things about the hagens recently so they mustve improved since the old ones they used to do.

Your lighting is OK for your tank but you definately need polished metal reflectors so I should go for the Arcadia ones. If they dont make them to fit your length of tank buy 2 of the half length and brace them together.

Try and cover 75% of the substrate with plants and your substrate is comprised of?

Andy

 

[tomchurchman]

Substrate is mostly sand with a gravel 'bar' at on end.
I thought the Co2 yeast reactors were good for 100L, so 2 rigged up together, changed alternatively would do the trick? surely its better then nothing.

 

[SuperColey1]

I used to use 2 nutrafins and a 2LTR DIY on my 125Ltr, with a good diffusor and over 5x filttration......and it aould only hit light green in the DC occasionally so as you can see they are a struggle. No harm in using them but I wouldn't be hoping for the kind of results they claim.

Andy

 

[tomchurchman]

Oh well, I'll soldier on, I've got them now and they cost pennies to run. Managed to order 2 x arcadia 42" polished reflectors today, replaced the activated carbon supplied with my Fluval 405 with some floss and Fluval pre filter media, and got a couple of nice bunches of Cabomba. Just done a water change, removed most of my rapidly multiplying floating plants and added some liquid plant food so its all systems go. Just sat here now watching bubble trails drift off of the swords.