Newbie Set Up

[Slider]

As a newbie, I have put together a list of tank hardware for what will be a new set up. I would welcome any comments on whether this list looks ok or do I need to have a re-think. (The tank and filter I already have so can't change these).

Tank - 48" x 18" (D) x 22" (H) - approx 75 (UK) gallons capacity
Filter - Eheim 2126
Substrate - General 3mm gravel (40/50kg) giving an average 4" depth + 5L Tropica Plant Substrate
Lighting - 4 x High Output T5 (54w) lamps - 216w total using 'Daylight' tubes with reflectors
CO2 - pressurised system connected to an Aqua Medic Reactor 500. Water supply to the Reactor fed by teeing off from the filter return and using in-line valves to regulate the flow

TIA

 

[Fwapp]

Nice selection of kit.

As you are going high lighting/pressurised CO2, I assume you'll be doing EI dosing for plant ferts?

I only ask as with light levels that high, algea would be a problem.

Also, take advice that others (including myself) did'nt take. Plant heavily from the start. See the advice in pinned topics up above.

 

[Neal]

Looks good, technically speaking, your light input isn't really that much, when you consider the height of your tank (22"), but it's still a nice ammount of lighting, but you may struggle to grow very high light plants. May I ask where your getting your tubes from? I wouldn't mind some high output tubes like that!

Neal

 

[Slider]

Nice selection of kit.

As you are going high lighting/pressurised CO2, I assume you'll be doing EI dosing for plant ferts?

I only ask as with light levels that high, algea would be a problem.

Also, take advice that others (including myself) did'nt take. Plant heavily from the start. See the advice in pinned topics up above.

Thanks for your reply Fwapp

I have to confess that I wasn't planning on carrying out EI dosing. I plan to use a combination of the Tropica Plant Nutrition dry and liquid fertilisers, using their recommended dosage and water change routine.
However, now that you've brought the subject to my attention, I'll take another look. I see there's been a lot of interest in EI dosing just by the number of articles recently posted on the forum so I'll take a further read.

Your comment on planting heavily at the start is well noted. I plan to plant the tank initially with fast growing plants (around 75% coverage) and then swap out with other varieties once the set up is established. George provided a good selection of fast growing plants in a recent issue of PFK which I intend to use as a starting point.

 

[Dave Spencer]

Maybe you could mix your lighting up a bit instead of using just daylights. How about two to bring out colour and two that will be beneficial for plant growth.

 

[Slider]

Looks good, technically speaking, your light input isn't really that much, when you consider the height of your tank (22"), but it's still a nice ammount of lighting, but you may struggle to grow very high light plants. May I ask where your getting your tubes from? I wouldn't mind some high output tubes like that!

Neal

Neal,

Thanks for your feedback Neal. I have no high light demanding plants on my list so I'm hoping that this level of lighting should be enough.

I intend to purchase my tubes from the www.thelightbulbshop.co.uk. The lamp I was going for can be found at:
Osram T5 Lumilux High Output

 

[Themuleous]

Kit sounds good

Sam