Sepincourt

Hello, first off, sorry for yet another lighting question. I’ve looked at many posts on these and other forums and have found loads of useful information.

I’m after some help, really just clarification if I’m heading in the right direction, about Lighting, for my New Planted Display Tank, I’ve spent a lot of time looking through forums and online stores to get ideas, and I have a general idea of what I should be looking at but every time I decide to go one way I see or read something that makes me rethink, so I thought I’d bite the bullet and ask the professionals how my current idea looks to them.

First off, the tank is a 5x2x2, (It’s actually more like 5’ x 22” x 26”, but close enough) I think the total volume is around 550lts, but more like 475-500 after displacement, it is sumped but so it will likely run at close to the 550lt. It’s going to be heavily planted with Pressurized CO2 injection and use the PPS-Pro Ferts System. With a standard, small, array of Discus, Tetras and Cats (Corys/BN) and maybe Apistos.

As for plant selection, which I know contributes to a lot to lighting selection… I don’t really know, I’m thinking of throwing in a huge mix to being with and removing that which I do not like. I’m sure there will be a bit of fast growing and high light stuff amongst it. (Call it trial by fire)


I already have T5 light reflectors for individual tubes and Hagen Ballasts; it’s all to be mounted in a custom made hood. The Ballasts are as follows; 2x54watt lights, another 2x54watt lights and 2x24watt lights. My plan was to set them up on timers to come on and off throughout the day to give me total lighting in order of something like this: (ATM I’m unsure of how long each period will last)

(Morning)
48watts total
156watts total
256watts total
156watts total
48watts total (semi-siesta period)
156watts total
256watts total
156watts total
48watts total
(Night)


I’ve chosen to go for a setup like this as I would like to be able to maximize the amount of time the lights are on (14-16 hours) (It's a very frequented room), and felt having times of lower light will help algae control and also look slightly more natural. I’ve also setup for a siesta period as I’ve heard it helps to control algae growth, any thoughts on this?

(Also note, the tank receives only very indirect sun light; it sits in the middle of my room and even though there are large sliding on 3 sides of the room there are also verandas and gardens outside)

Next up, the bulbs I’m thinking a mix of 2 different types of bulbs, I’ve heard that the bulbs that are often better for plant growth don’t make tanks look as good as they could, as they lack light in the “human eye-sight” spectrum. I was leaning towards Sylvania Gro-Lux Bulbs and then something in a daylight range or a high K rating (10k). Either that or going for a Sylvania AquaStar bulb across the lot.

This is the area that is of main confusion to me… What would you advise I go for in terms of tubes, also is there reason to mix? What’s the best type to get?

I’m fairly inexperienced with plants, so any advice, suggestions, comments will be helpful. I’m a spare no expense type person and I like to do things “right” the first time, but I’m also broke… So I’m not looking at anything stupidly expensive. Also as said, it’s a display tank so needs to be something that will look super awesome.

I think I’m sort of heading in the right direction, but thought I should be sure.


Advise away!

Thanks,
Stevo.

Supercoley1

Running the lights for 14-16 hours especially in a newly setup planted tank is just asking for trouble IMO. Most planters will use 8-10 hours.

The stagger you are using is good IMO. Although by WPG your lighting levels may seem low, this is a large tank, needs less light and they are also T5 linears (or are they PL/PC/CF?) which would give much more light than the WPG rule.

Siesta doesn't 'help control algae growth' at all. The idea behind it is for tanks where CO2 is poor and depletes. The Siesta lets it build up again before the second period. Some vendors claim it is to mimic dark skies in tropical thunderstorms which it may do but is way off the mark of the original intention of the method. Many others say it helps control algae. It doesn't. The replenished CO2 helps the plants. the plants better growth controls the algae. At the end of the day this method was originally used by DIY/Yeast users because they struggled to get the CO2 with their setups.

You are pressurised so you should have much more ability to dial the CO2 in. I would get rid of the siesta

1 white (daylight) and 1 pink will be fine. They compliment each other quite well. I wouldn't worry about the K rating at all. I use solely daylight white lights. no so called 'gro lights'. Get the combination that gives a look that pleases you. You don't need 'aquarium' lights. The special ink used to print the word aquarium is very expensive. You can get just as good if not better lights from the hardware store/internet without that word printed on it and they are much cheaper. However make sure they are good quality. The standard shop fittings may not look to nice. You want to check the CRI is bove 85% and that the K rating is to your liking.

So in answer to your question, there is no reason to mix but often a mix gives a good balance.