Stocking a new planted tank

[Anonymous]

Just to share, I once started a 10g with a full 4' two tube utility fixture. 80watts. (It was all I had available. LOL). and (OMG!!!!!!) on 24/7 LOL!!!

After a three weeks or so I had (for the first and only time) green water. And green water so thick I could only see bout an inch into the tank.

Water polishing with a cansiter filter cleared the water in a couple of days then it came back in another 3-4 days.

I reduced the photo period to 14-16 hours and the same thing. I finally moved the fixture so only 1/2 of it was over the tank, and the tank remained clear for two years. When I sold it prior to a move. the people who bought were absolutely amazed at a tank that did not require filtration. LOL

I would hate to think you spent all that $ on high lighting only to find simple inexpensive utility lights would have been better.

But keep us posted. If you get cloudy water after the initial clearing up then try reducing the lighting. But remember, the initial surface scum is commmon and easily cleaned up with top feeding fish like guppies or platties. But be wary of cloudy or green in the water itself.

Bob

 

[fishfanatic2]

Lol, comparing my experience with beaslbob's, the only thing that is solid proof is that you kinda have to experiment.

Keep us posted! I'm especially interested since I want to restock/rebuild my FW tank.

 

[Anonymous]

Bob wrote:

I would hate to think you spent all that $ on high lighting only to find simple inexpensive utility lights would have been better.

Dude, remember, I am converting a reef to a planted tank. I already have the ballast and wiring harness, end caps, everything except the lamps.

I'm not on a shoe string budget either, so it really doesn't matter all that much.

The cost of the VHO lamps is a lot more than N.O., but it's still only $70.00 for all three with shipping.

Louey

 

[danmhippo]

LOL!

There are light loving plants and shade tolerant plants. I prefer different shades of green and red in my tank. Among these, many of the plants that I have is bright green, which indicates strong light.

Not all tanks' gonna end up with single cell algae bloom. Just like reef tank, it's all about balance and control. Get nutrient input under control, boost plants' growth through strong light and CO2, I don't think green water is a must gone through stage for planted tanks.

Louey, keep us posted.

 

[Anonymous]

Louey:

didn't mean to say or imply you could not afford the lights. I too am well above the median household income so the actual $s spend is not a problem. I am also now 57 so that won't last too many more years

After years of using simple lighting I just find it ironic if/when the newstuff does worse than the older stuff.

For instance, the Robert Gasser articles back in 1979 recommended using incandescant. And I used 150w incan for years on a 10g. But now we gotta use high powered, special spectrum, super duper lighting. I just chuckle to myself after years of using a $2.00 fixture and $.25 bulb. But that is just my experiences.

Didn't mean to insult ya. Sorry.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm not insulted at all Bob.

I was just making sure you didn't loose track of where this thread started.

I'm only 41 and my memory can't keep up with a 3 page thread already. Doh!

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

I'm not insulted at all Bob.

I was just making sure you didn't loose track of where this thread started.

I'm only 41 and my memory can't keep up with a 3 page thread already. Doh!

Louey

you should try to keep track at 57 :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

Here's a picture after the tank has been up and running for a few months.

I now have a full pressurized CO2 system and what a differenct that makes.

I also does ferts (PHDD ((poor mans dosing drops) in the makeup water.

I have 5 siamese algea eaters, 2 lyretail back mollies, 4 rosie barbs, and 5 blue rams. I really love the rams.

I just harvested a bushel of hornwort a couple of days ago. I threw that in my pond and it is flourishing there.

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

Wow Louey

That is really nice looking

I like the look of that hunk of wood

I was wondering if you were still having trouble putting carbon in your magnum 350. I have one and have only had trouble once.

That was when the little plastic rod that holds the carbon canister together came loose and the whole thing came apart in my hands (carbon everywhere) Normally I just lift up the top, bang it out in the trash can and pour some new in there.

I also do not use near as much as it recommends, I think they add that big of a carbon area just to sell more carbon. Of course I am a freakin tightwad too



Again, really nice tank there.

Did you ever solve the heat thing with it?

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Bryan.

Yeah I put an Icecap fan in the hood and now the temp doesn't get to much over 80.

I don't run carbon on this tank.

I am a dumbass for not figuring out how to open the carbon canister. Imagine for a moment that you didn't realize that the lid just lifts right off. I didn't notice that and was trying to figure a way to put carbon in it then slide the screen in place and close it. What an idiot I am.

I do keep a little bag of calcium reactor media in the carbon canister. It helps keep the KH up a bit. I have real soft water and this helps out.

 

[Anonymous]

hehehe


I have done similar things before

So you like the Icecap fan? Its temperature controlled right?

 

[Anonymous]

I blows alot of air.

It has a temerature sensor. I had to relocate the sensor out of the hood because it cranked up so fast that it made too much noise. With the sensor out of the hood, it is barely noticable but still moves a ton of air.

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

That was exactly what I was wondering.

it has a variable speed control based on how high the temperature gets

I think I am gonna put one of those puppies on my list!

 

[Anonymous]

Wow Louey! ...that tank took off!
Nice!
~wings~

 

[Anonymous]

Just to share, I once started a 10g with a full 4' two tube utility fixture. 80watts. (It was all I had available. LOL). and (OMG!!!!!!) on 24/7 LOL!!!

After a three weeks or so I had (for the first and only time) green water. And green water so thick I could only see bout an inch into the tank.

Water polishing with a cansiter filter cleared the water in a couple of days then it came back in another 3-4 days.

I reduced the photo period to 14-16 hours and the same thing. I finally moved the fixture so only 1/2 of it was over the tank, and the tank remained clear for two years. When I sold it prior to a move. the people who bought were absolutely amazed at a tank that did not require filtration. LOL

I would hate to think you spent all that $ on high lighting only to find simple inexpensive utility lights would have been better.

But keep us posted. If you get cloudy water after the initial clearing up then try reducing the lighting. But remember, the initial surface scum is commmon and easily cleaned up with top feeding fish like guppies or platties. But be wary of cloudy or green in the water itself.

Bob

adding livebearers gets rid of surface film??

 

[Anonymous]

Just to share, I once started a 10g with a full 4' two tube utility fixture. 80watts. (It was all I had available. LOL). and (OMG!!!!!!) on 24/7 LOL!!!

After a three weeks or so I had (for the first and only time) green water. And green water so thick I could only see bout an inch into the tank.

Water polishing with a cansiter filter cleared the water in a couple of days then it came back in another 3-4 days.

I reduced the photo period to 14-16 hours and the same thing. I finally moved the fixture so only 1/2 of it was over the tank, and the tank remained clear for two years. When I sold it prior to a move. the people who bought were absolutely amazed at a tank that did not require filtration. LOL

I would hate to think you spent all that $ on high lighting only to find simple inexpensive utility lights would have been better.

But keep us posted. If you get cloudy water after the initial clearing up then try reducing the lighting. But remember, the initial surface scum is commmon and easily cleaned up with top feeding fish like guppies or platties. But be wary of cloudy or green in the water itself.

Bob

adding livebearers gets rid of surface film??

From my FW experience, that's totally not true.

~wings~

 

[Anonymous]

...

But keep us posted. If you get cloudy water after the initial clearing up then try reducing the lighting. But remember, the initial surface scum is commmon and easily cleaned up with top feeding fish like guppies or platties. But be wary of cloudy or green in the water itself.

Bob

adding livebearers gets rid of surface film??

Absolutely!!!!!!!!!!! As long as they are the top feeding guppies, platties, mollys. Before the surface scum they are picking a leaves, glass, sand etc. With the scum they are almost 100% of the time at the surface going back a forth like a vacume cleaner. The scum is gone in no more than a week at which time they resume the leaves, glass, sand activity. And all the while breathing and acting normally. Even saw the same thing with mollies in my cycling 55g salt.

Also exchanged emails from another planted tank guy who had noticed the same thing on his planted tanks and posted at his web sight. He stated a common name where he came from was top minnows.

 

[Anonymous]

That's just not true, dude. It's just not.
~wings~

 

[Anonymous]

Well perhaps the other guy and I just had more live bearers per gallon than you.

 

[Anonymous]

My two lyretails keep my surface spotless.

Louey