Understanding Wattage

[TixeeriF]

Hi all,

I'm looking to change my aquarium to a fully planted one over Christmas, so this will probably be the first of many threads I begin!

I've read aaronnorth's excellent 'Back to Basics' thread, which suggests I would need around 1.5 watts per gallon.

As I have a 30G aquarium I would therefore need 45 watts.

My problem is that I only have 2x18 inch T8 tubes, and I don't seem to be able to find any lamps with more than 15 watts each.

Does anyone know of anywhere I can get >15w 18" tubes?

Alternatively, does anyone know of a way to maximise what's available to me?
e.g. is it worth getting two different kind of lights to complement each other, for example one of these
http/www.lampspecs...be-18In-15-Watt

and one of these
http/www.lampspecs...5K-18In-15-Watt

Finally - a stupid question - are all Flourescent fixtures standard?

Thanks for any help,

Scott

 

[SombreroBanana]

First of all, people saying you *need* 1.5-2 watts per gallon is crud. I have less than 1 watt per gallon of lighting, and my anacharis grows literally half an inch a day, and my jungle val sends out probably three runners a week.

Second, 12000k lighting is more on the blue end of lighting, which is great for plants because they utilize blue and red lighting better than any other kind. I personally don't like that blue haze in my tank though, but if you add a 6500k bulb with it, it just looks like daylight.

I believe all fluorescent fixtures are standard.

 

[DrRob]

Fixtures are standard, although there is waterproofing to consider, which is what the aquarium ones tend to have.

Those lights are fairly expensive. I'd probably just buy these.

http/www.lampspecs.co.uk/Light-Bulbs-Tubes/15-Watt-18-Inch_2/18-In-15-Watt-860-Daylight-Sylvania

If you want more power you'll be looking at T5 or LED, but that would increase your budget. You can do fine with two of those, depending partly on depth, partly on the plants you go for.

Oh, and I'd probably avoid going up to 12K, it'll look strangely blue, you'll generally find them more over marine tanks.

 

[TixeeriF]

Thanks for the advice Sombrero, DrRob

Think I'll avoid 12000K lamps, then, I prefer a natural look to a marine look.
Thanks also for the link. Didn't know the bulbs could be so cheap!

Given that my tank is around 20" deep (waterline to substrate), what sorts of plants would you recommend?

I'm planning on placing sand over a nutritional substrate (not sure which one yet).and am happy to daily dose fertilizer, but was hoping to avoid CO2 if possible - though might go with a DIY yeast solution if needed.

 

[DrRob]

At those light levels, go for the older slow growing favourites and you'll be fine. Plants like swords, anubius, most crypts and vallis tend to do well. Depends what you like really.

Sand will tend to mix with most substrates unless it's a good thick layer.

 

[TixeeriF]

Thanks again.
I currently have one anubia growing on some bogwood and love the look of that so will likely get some more.

This is probably highlighting my ignorance, but I thought a kind of soil-like / mud-like substrate was usually put down with sand on top to give the plants something nutritious to take root in?

I was planning on doing about 2.5-2" earth-like substrate with around 1" sand on top.

 

[SombreroBanana]

Here's a general guide to dirting tanks (which is what you're describing).

1.Place the potting soil (make sure it's organic, no chemicals) into a bucket and rinse the dirt as much as you can to clean the dirt.

2. You will now want to add the dirt to the tank and make sure to make things even unless you want to make slopes and adjustments that meets the desired look. About 1 inch dirt will do fine but feel free to add more if you want to.

3. Next add the unfired red clay (only if you're adding plants that turn red) into the dirt and make sure that its not exposed.

4. Add water to the dirt but make sure theres no puddle, you want a thick consistency of dirt.

5. You will want to add your chosen substrate to cap the dirt after rinsing. Gravel or sand will work fine. Make sure the layer over the dirt is a 1:1 ratio so 1 inch of dirt is covered with 1 inch of gravel or sand and so on.

6. Place any decorations you want in the tank now and plants. The plants does not have to be placed right down into the dirt since once the tank starts to age the roots will reach the dirt in no time.

7. Carefully add the water into the tank and keep doing partial water changes to clean the debris of the tank.

8. After doing so proceed to cycle the tank and then add the fish you wish to keep and enjoy the plants grow healthily.

 

[TixeeriF]

Thanks Sombrero - that's a great guide.

Is there any advantage to dirting a tank instead of using a specialist substrate along the lines of Tetra Plant Substrate or JBL substrate?

My tank is already cycled and has fish, does that mean I can just skip the last step if I hold back some of my existing water, and filter media, etc?

 

[Ps3Steveo]

There's no advantage to dirting its a cheap way of getting nutrient rich substrate, the good thing about other substrates like Florabase etc is some lower PH making ideal conditions for plants.

 

[TixeeriF]

That's interesting - do we know how much pH is effected?
Mine is at 7.3, so substrate could help hit neutral, which would be great.

Do substrate of dirting change gH as well?
If so, how? Would be great to lower my water's hardness too...

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Dirting doesn't really change it like good substrates do.

 

[SombreroBanana]

Thanks Sombrero - that's a great guide.

Is there any advantage to dirting a tank instead of using a specialist substrate along the lines of Tetra Plant Substrate or JBL substrate?

My tank is already cycled and has fish, does that mean I can just skip the last step if I hold back some of my existing water, and filter media, etc?

Like Ps3 already said, it's just a cheap way to get nutrient rich substrate. And yes, you just empty your tank out (put the fish in a bucket or something), water and all, and then follow the guide. But just to let you know, dirting a tank can take a few hours depending on the size.

 

[KevM]

Could you name some of these 'good' substrates, please? I'm just asking because I'll be setting up a planted tank once I get my new lights (thanks again, by the way), and I have hard water. I'd be very interested in any substrate that will lower my PH and help grow my plants.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Colombo Florabase. I use it, comes in black and brown.

 

[TixeeriF]

That was going to be my next question!
So, instead, I'll raise you with...

How do you know how much to buy?
Is there a calculation to convert tank dimensions into substrate weight?

Does Florabase need capping at all?