Converting from High to Low Light

VaughnH

Lifetime Charter Member
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Jan 24, 2005
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Sacramento, CA
My aquarium is a 45 gallon tank with 110 watts of AH Supply lighting. It has pressurized CO2, with a Barr Internal Venturi reactor, continuous water change system, and is dosed by the EI method. I also have a 2.5 gallon nano tank, with a 27 watt PC desk lamp over it, and Excel in place of CO2. Both tanks use Soilmaster for a substrate, and both have blyxa Japonica plus other plants. The nano tank requires almost no maintenance, other than water changes and top off water. It has been virtually algae free from the beginning, about 2 months ago. I want my 45 gallon tank to be so kind to me!

If I replace the 55 watt AHS bulbs with 36 watt bulbs, will that work electrically? And, if I do that, what other changes should I make to convert this tank to a lower maintenance tank? I prefer to keep using pressurized CO2, and using EI fertilizing, but at a reduced rate.
 

Tom Barr

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Jan 23, 2005
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Raise the light up, switch bulbs, add plastic diffuser lens that blocks most of the light/some of the light etc.

All will work.
55 to a 36 watt ought to be fine.

Regards,
Tom Barr