CO2 tablets, Do they really work ? - Page 2 - New to Planted Aquariums

Peter16 · 01-13-2009, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zapins

(probably tungsten light if I'm right)

The brand is ZAMP (with a triangle for the "A") Well thats what it says on the globe. the fluroscent one is made in the USA, the regular one in Asia somewhere. they only put out 1400K

What sort of Wattage would i be looking at for my tank? and how many Kelvins.
I read on the site you suggested between 5500 and 7800 should do the trick for freshwater planted tanks ?

Zapins · 01-13-2009, 03:45 PM

Ahsupply.com sells good lights, or Coralife. They both have lights that will fit your tank.

Zapins · 01-14-2009, 12:55 AM

From what I can tell the 510 tropical fish tank is roughly 20 gallons. You will need 36watts, 55w or 65w of power compact light depending on whether you want low, medium or high light.

I recommend 55w.

Kelvin is simply the color the bulb emits not how much light. Lumens are a measure of the bulb's intensity. In any case you will want either a 6,700 K or a 10,000 K bulb (more blue). 5,500 will be quite red, annoyingly so. 7,800 K bulbs are harder to find.

Peter16 · 01-16-2009, 04:37 PM

When you measure the length of the globe, do you measure from the tip of one pin, to the other end of the globe?
Or from the tip of one pin, to the tip of the pin at the opposite end?
or do you exclude the pins altogether ?

Zapins · 01-16-2009, 08:47 PM

i'm not really sure, I have never measured it myself, but I would guess include the pins. 55w are 22" long if I remember right.

Sewing - did you get my 2 pms?

Peter16 · 01-18-2009, 03:00 AM

Okay, so i have deccided to settle with little 15watt globes, with a total of 30watts, should be enough to grow some simple plants.

What would be the best combination colour wise.
2x 10,000k
or
2x 6,500k
or
1 actinic (spelling?) and one 10,000k
or
1 actinic (spelling?) and one 6,500 k
or
1 6,500k and one 10,000 k ?

Also i have seen some products which are "10k" what colour is that? good for plant growth ?

Zapins · 01-18-2009, 06:20 AM

Actinics are not usable at all for plants. The light specrtem is fine tuned for what would be available under 10-15 meters of salt water. Plants don't grow underwater further than about 2 meters so the actinic color is unusable to them.

2x10,000K will appear slightly more blue to your eyes while 2x6,500 or 6,700K will be more orange-red to your eyes.

To the plants, 10,000 or 6,500 will be fine, it is a matter of personal choice, do you want more blue or more red? You can also mix and match, but one side of the tank will be more red and the other side will be more blue, which might look a bit odd.

Peter16 · 01-20-2009, 04:04 PM

Going to have a stab at the DIY C02,
I have everything i need, but a diffuser.

I have been searching the site, for diy diffusers but cant find anything.
Anyone have any suggestions.

Seattle_Aquarist · 01-20-2009, 08:56 PM

Hi Peter16,

If you have a HOB or canister filter you can feed the CO2 in through the intake tube until you get a diffuser or a reactor. I did that for several months, it worked well and the plants grew great.

Peter16 · 01-21-2009, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seattle_Aquarist

Hi Peter16,

If you have a HOB or canister filter you can feed the CO2 in through the intake tube until you get a diffuser or a reactor. I did that for several month, it worked well and the plants grew great.

Sorry what does HOB stand for?
Looked on the abbreviations list, but is not there.
Im run an aqua clear filter on the tank that will have the c02, pretty sure thats canister?

When you say intake tube, do you mean the submerged pipe that sucks in water? Just shove it up that?

I managed to make a pretty good diffuser see:
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...-footer-2.html

Scroll down a bit.

Thanks for your help.