Rookie From O.C. California 45 tall - Introductions and Greets

plooney · 11-04-2009, 01:28 PM

So I want to start a nature aquarium and have a 45 tall (36" length x12" wide x24" tall") since I live on the coast, all fish stores only focus on marine setups. Looks like I'll have to use an online source. What web site companies do you prefer and I'm torn on the substrate. Should I go with eco-complete, aquariumplants.com substrate, or the all expensive ADA substrate? I also have a dual 96watt power compact bulb and a 10,000k blue light from a marine set up is this lighting ok for growing a carpet type look such as Hemianthus callitrichoides? I'm going for a south american planted look.

Thanks, in advance

Seattle_Aquarist · 11-04-2009, 02:19 PM

Hi plooney,

Welcome to APC! This is a great site with excellent information and friendly people to help if you need it. Glad you joined.

I have a 45 gallon tall as well and use a 1X96 watt DIY fixture with a 6700K bulb. A 2X96 watt may be a too much light, especially when you first start up the tank and you are going through the nitrogen cycle. I suggest you lose the actinic (blue bulb) which is good for coral but doesn't do well for freshwater plants and replace it with a 6700K.

For substrate, another alternative may be Turface (I like Pro League Grey) available at your local John Deere dealer or landscape supplier for about $22 for 50# which is enough for a 75 gallon.

plooney · 11-04-2009, 06:03 PM

so seattle i should go with one dual linear 6,500k light? Why do you pick that over the 10,000k?

Seattle_Aquarist · 11-04-2009, 07:10 PM

Hi plooney,

Good question! The reason I use a 6700K bulb is it provides most of its' light in the spectrum that the plants need for photosynthesis. Bulbs that supply light in the 4500K to 10000K all offer some usable light. The 4500K bulbs are very "yellow" and the 10000K bulbs are very "blue/bright white". Some people mix different spectrum bulbs to get a look they like. In your case, the 10000K you have will provide some usable light; the actinic doesn't supply light the plants use for photosynthesis.

crystalview · 11-04-2009, 08:43 PM

For my 45 tall I use a 6700k because I like the color of the plants. My tank is set up for low light. With the 96w I used brackets to raise the light 4" so I would cut down on algae growth. The brackets also move the light out of the way while I clean. I run my light about 9hrs a day. I use EI for the fertz and place the daily dose in those free pill boxes at the pharmacy.
I don't use CO2, but do use excel. I have discus and community fish. I notice that the fish were sometimes going to the top for air. So I add a wall bubble wall and that solved my low O2 at lower levels. With the plants and fish I also added two small powerheads so I have no dead zones. I also bought the longer tube to the siphon cleaner so it makes cleaning easier.

plooney · 11-06-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seattle_Aquarist

Hi plooney,

Good question! The reason I use a 6700K bulb is it provides most of its' light in the spectrum that the plants need for photosynthesis. Bulbs that supply light in the 4500K to 10000K all offer some usable light. The 4500K bulbs are very "yellow" and the 10000K bulbs are very "blue/bright white". Some people mix different spectrum bulbs to get a look they like. In your case, the 10000K you have will provide some usable light; the actinic doesn't supply light the plants use for photosynthesis.

So seattle, you think I should go with just a single 96w 6700K?

Seattle_Aquarist · 11-06-2009, 03:47 PM

Hi plooney,

If it were me, I would start with just the one 6700K and go with a reduced light period, maybe 6 hours if you have a well planted aquarium. After the first month, when the nitrogen cycle is over, I would start increasing the light period gradually by 1/2 hour a week watching for algae problems. I notice that you are planning a "nature aquarium", are you planning on using CO2? If not, you may not need the second 96 watts. If you are planning on CO2, the second 96 watts may only run for an hour or two for a "noon burst" once the tank is established. Don't forget to read up on fertilization!

plooney · 11-06-2009, 06:45 PM

Seattle your a great help! I will be running CO2. I'm getting the red sea paintball co2 package. This is due to my limited storage space. I also just checked the prices on the power compact bulbs (four pin square model) and they are running at $50 a piece. I'm thinking of trying one 6700k and if more light is needed just runing my 10,000k for an hour or two. Do you think that will be ok?

Seattle_Aquarist · 11-06-2009, 07:53 PM

Hi plooney,

That sounds great, starting up the photoperiod slowly will help keep algae to a minimum. $50 is pretty expensive for a 6700K 96 watt square 4 pin bulb. I get mine from AH Supply for $28.99 but I understand they are even less expensive on Ebay.

Vadimshevchuk · 11-07-2009, 04:55 AM

Hey, Welcome to the forum. =D

If you want to grow hc, i would get the 2x96w fixture for a midday burst because the 96w pc over a a 2 foot deep tank isnt gonan reach the bottom to well. But you will need pressurized co2 as u mentioned. Good luck