Yet Another Lighting Related Question

[Neo8223]

Hey all.

I've decided to get my 2x1x1 foot tank up and running. My lighting consists of 15w + 14w 1inch diameter tubes. I've also added arcadia reflectors to each of them "Apparently" boosing the tubes performance by 100%

Assuming that this is correct, if my tank volume is 14.95 Gallons, does that mean that i have 3.87 WPG? (2dp)
If not, what would roughly be the WPG.

Also, is this adequate for a tank of this size and how many plants will i need to ensure that there are is minimal algae in the tank. There will be DIY CO2 traveling through a fluval 105 or eheim ecco 2232 (whatever i can get for cheap 2nd hand), fertalizer put in once a fortnight... or more if you lot reccommend it, and i'm aiming for a water change once a week. Temp will be 27 Celcius.

My fish will be:
12 endlers, 8 zebra Danios, 5 brisslenoses.

Any additional help would be welcomed, eg what plants, what substrate to use etc. etc. Oh and can i still vaccum the gravel even with substrate in it?

Thanks for reading

Paul

 

[SuperColey1]

This is a question and also misunderstanding that often comes up on here.

I'm afraid you have 1.9WPG not 3.87WPG as the WPG rule assumes that you are using reflectors already.

I say afraid when actually 2WPG or just short like you is perfectly good for growing most plants as long as you're not hoping to get the ludicrously hard to grow and also aren't wanting a massive algae battle.

Believe me the higher wattage you go the more triumphant or inconsolable you can feel because under even 2.8WPG like mine it is damn hard to keep the algae at bay.

Andy

This is a question and also misunderstanding that often comes up on here.

I'm afraid you have 1.9WPG not 3.87WPG as the WPG rule assumes that you are using reflectors already.

I say afraid when actually 2WPG or just short like you is perfectly good for growing most plants as long as you're not hoping to get the ludicrously hard to grow and also aren't wanting a massive algae battle.

Believe me the higher wattage you go the more triumphant or inconsolable you can feel because under even 2.8WPG like mine it is damn hard to keep the algae at bay.

Andy

 

[Neo8223]

This is a question and also misunderstanding that often comes up on here.

I'm afraid you have 1.9WPG not 3.87WPG as the WPG rule assumes that you are using reflectors already.

I say afraid when actually 2WPG or just short like you is perfectly good for growing most plants as long as you're not hoping to get the ludicrously hard to grow and also aren't wanting a massive algae battle.

Believe me the higher wattage you go the more triumphant or inconsolable you can feel because under even 2.8WPG like mine it is damn hard to keep the algae at bay.

Andy

Hehe Cool! I have accidently done it again You learn something new every day. Thanks for the speedy reply. Any other additional tips/comments on my plans are most welcomed After my exams, i'll be posting a planted journel on my tank too!, focusing equally on DIY aswell as planting.

Thanks again Andy

Paul.

 

[GoldLenny]

I think you are aiming for too many fish in a 15G tank. The endlers would be OK and maybe the danios but 5 BN plecos are way too many for a 15G tank. You might look at Amano Shrimp or Cherry Shrimp as algae eaters/cleanup crew. Much less bioload.

Here are profiles on each so you can see what kinds of water parameters, tank sizes and tank mates they prefer.
http/fish.mongabay.com/species/Poecilia_reticulata.html
http/fish.mongabay.com/danios.htm
http/fish.mongabay.com/species/Ancistrus...ichopterus.html (BN Plecos grow to 6" each)

 

[Neo8223]

my fathers tank is more than adequate to home 3 of the brisslenoses when they reach that size. They are in the post atm at a size of 2cm or so atm, SmithRC has given me a bit of advice on looking after and breeding them. Noted about the zebra danios though, i'll strike it off the list. There is sooo much conflicting stats on Zebra danios (Obviously not including the stuff the ppl at the LFS say as some dont know much at all.)

I've tried to do my research tho

"Whats wrong with that fish"
"Nothing, its a sheep fish"
"Looks diseased to me mate"

"hasnt that fish got most of its tail bit off?
"No, its a half tail"

I admire their enthusiasm lol.

 

[rdd1952]

The problem with the BN plecos isn't only what to do with them when they get big, it's just as much a matter of the waste they will produce now. Even if you drop the danios, that will be a lot of waste and ammonia for your filter to process and for you to vacuum out. The BNs also prefer a strong current.

 

[Neo8223]

Got ya However, wouldnt a fluval 105 or eheim 2230 sort that out? They are both rated for up to 100l. My tank is 50l.

Fluval 105: 480LPH ...... 8.48 (therefore 8.5 complete water cycles per hour)
Eheim ecco 2232: 400 LPH..... 7.06 (therefore 7.1 complete water cycles per hour)

So taking into account what you said, a fluval 105, (even though not as economical...i'm an eco friendly freak lol) would be better. If i had any more filteration than that, surely it would be bad for the fish?!?!?!

 

[rdd1952]

Those filters would certainly be able to handle the load and would allow for some overstocking. You would still have a lot of waste laying around on the bottom though and the rehoming issue somewhere down the line.

 

[Neo8223]

Those filters would certainly be able to handle the load and would allow for some overstocking. You would still have a lot of waste laying around on the bottom though and the rehoming issue somewhere down the line.

cool. Well i'm going to now get an eheim 2232 as they are generally a better . However the answer to your last question brings me back to my first question:

"can i still vaccum the gravel even with substrate in it?"

I've researched plenty on the fish side of it, attempting to cater for the fish with caves, bogwood etc, but i dont yet know the limitations of the equipment that i am to be using. This is a steep learning curve from the transition from a novice "argos catalog" sort of person to the specialist "only the best will do" sort of guy.... hense all the questions.

I liked your cycling topic. I normally wait 3 weeks and let the tank naturally cycle, but this time round, i may just try the ammonia route