Plants And Planted Tanks

[ranjohns]

I am new to keeping fish and plants. Our tank is in the 2nd phase of a fishless cycle and I soon want to upgrade our light fixture, add more plants and a CO2 system.

This is our setup:
Marineland Penguin Power Filter 350B
Marineland Stealth Submersible Heater 150-watt set at 78 F
Planted - 20 plants in Seachem Flourite
A single 18-watt T-8 fluorescent lamp (high green spectrum spike)

I have read George Farmer’s pinned articles, “Basic Guide to Lighting” and “Nutrafin CO2 Basic Users Guide” and many of the threads in this area. I want to upgrade our light fixture and add a CO2 system. There are 3 pieces of equipment - T5 light fixtures and CO2 systems - that I’m interested in buying. Any advice, observations or suggestions regarding these particular pieces or alternative pieces will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Randy

Here’s the list:

Orbit 30" 2x65watt lamps - one 6,700K and one Dual Actinic 420nm/
460nm; with 2 Lunar Light Moon White lights; model 1022 see
http/www.petmountain.com/product/light-f...watt-1022-.html

30" SunDial T5HO 4x24watt: 2-10k/2-460nm actinics, model 1151 see
http/www.petmountain.com/product/aquariu...ndial-t5ho.html

Besides the Nutrafin system I’m also interested in AquariumPlants.com's Electronic Co2 Regulator; see
http/www.AquariumPlants.com/AquariumPlan...lator_p/co2.htm

 

[waterdrop]

I don't know, is 4.3 watts/gallon kind of high? (that first light fixture)

I've looked at that electronic bubble counter before and it seems pretty nice in description... would be interested to hear whether the experienced planted tank members think it sounds fine but just expensive, or whether its not something they would use for some reason...

~~waterdrop~~

 

[ranjohns]

4.3W/gal would be high. The alternative could be to pull one of the lamps, leaving 65W. I'm more interested in slower, but steady growth. With the other unit I could remove 1 lamp and control the wattage with the 2 timers - 48W or 72W. What do you think? I'd also like to hear from someone how loud are the fans.

Thanks for your reply.

Randy

 

[Truck]

go lower than 4.3 WPG aim for 2WPG or you will battle algae etc and you will have to dose more CO2 etc

 

[ranjohns]

Do you know if I would have any ballast or lamp issues if I remove the 4th lamp in the 4x24 fixture? Also, what about this strategy to get slow but steady growth: to use 2 24W 6500k lamps and 2 actinic lamps, to add a bit to the color spectrum? And, how would the actinics affect the photo period? I know that they are used in marine tanks to promote coral and invertebrate growth.

Thanks,

Randy