Leonardite out of favor plus lighting question?

[Jim Miller]

I've been reading a lot of the threads here along with the "required" sticky threads of course and haven't seen much mention of leonardite lately.

Has it fallen out of favor as a lower substrate element?

If so has ADA AS or just river silt taken its place?

I'm aiming for a lowish light heavily planted 75g tank (48x18x21). I'll have C02 available if needed. I'm likely to start with DSM HC for several weeks before planting the remainder and filling.

Also I notice 1.5w/g mentioned for T5. Are those "actual" T5 watts (typ 28w for a nominal 4ft). I realize the illumination should be meansured PAR at the substrate or just observing plant growth but I'm looking for a ball park to size the lighting. Right now I'm planning for up to 4 T5NO spread across the top of the tank with good Miro SLRs. I can obviously turn one or more of them off if needed to get to the right level.

Thanks

Jim

 

[SuperColey1]

I wouldn't say Leonardite is out of favour at all. Its just that you only need a thin layer at the bottom of the substrate and therefore a small pack is suitable for many rescapes on your average tank.

I still have half a tub (1kg) that I bought 3 years ago.

I have seen some people use it on its own as their actual substrate.

ADA AS can be put on top of Leonardite bu then many other substrates just as any other substrate can.


On the lighting subject a single T5HO full length tube on a traditional dimension tank will be around the lowish light area. However 2 x T5NO or T8 would be better, pprovide a bit more light be more efficient and give better spread.

I tend to veer away from suggesting WPGs due to the differences in all the technologies but the simple gauge is 2 NO tubes that are the full length of the tank iis more than enough.


AC

 

[Jim Miller]

SC1

Thanks for the info. I'm partial to dual lights for the spread as well. Sounds like 2x T5NO should do the trick.

Thanks!

jim