This site is supported by the advertisements on it, please disable your AdBlocker so we can continue to provide you with the quality content you expect.
  1. We are after as many aquarium plant images that we can get, doing so will assist us in completing the aquarium plant database.

    https://barrreport.com/threads/aquatic-plant-images-wanted.14374/
    Dismiss Notice

Light height/Dosing advice for no-Co2 12 gallon long.

Discussion in 'Non-CO2 Methods' started by larcat, Jul 26, 2012.

  1. larcat

    larcat Junior Poster

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2011
    Messages:
    12
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    12:03 AM
    Hi!

    I've got a 12 gallon long currently in DSM.

    Substrate: Vermicompost under Azoo Plant Bed.

    Light: Marineland 36" Double Bright. Marineland says 54 PAR @ 12" and 24 PAR@ 24 inches.

    Flora: Entire exposed substrate heavily planted with C. Parva. Fissidens Fontanus in the rockwork.

    Fauna: OEBTs, eventually (after I feel that the tank is matured enough). Will have some Amanos temporarily after cycle completes to help with algae issues should they arise.

    Flora choice is for low maintenance but attractive. Want the Parva to eventually be a dense carpet.

    Will be doing tap water with RO for topoffs, most likely.

    So, my questions:

    Anyone want to suggest a height for the light and a photoperiod? I'm guesstimating somewhere around 16 inches off the substrate would be best?

    Does anyone want to suggest a dosing regime? Would like to keep it simple, and I do not want to use a micro combo that has any copper in it, so that gets rid of most of the popular choices.

    Thanks in advance!

    -Larcat
     
    #1 larcat, Jul 26, 2012
  2. dutchy

    dutchy Plant Guru Team
    Lifetime Member

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2009
    Messages:
    2,280
    Likes Received:
    4
    Local Time:
    12:03 AM
    My experience with non CO2 tanks tell me that only low light will make it succesfull (without algae). I wouldn't go higher with the PAR than 30 umols with no more than an 8 hour photoperiod. That would be around 21 inch with your lights. Low light will also guarantee you low maintainance and crypts can do will with this amount of light.

    Non CO2 tanks allow very minimal dosing when there are no water changes, sometimes just feeding the fish can provide NO3 and PO4 and you just add traces according to the manual. I'd start with around 20 ppm of NO3 and 2 ppm of PO4 and see where it goes with a test kit. The actual value is not important as long as it's not zero. When you know the final nutrients consumption of the tank, you just add this regularly and you can stop using the test kit.
     
    #2 dutchy, Jul 27, 2012
  3. larcat

    larcat Junior Poster

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2011
    Messages:
    12
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    12:03 AM
    Thanks for the response.

    I'm a little skeptical about marinelands #s. Doubling the distance should degrade the amount of light by more than 50%, I would think. Does this have something to do with LEDs?

    Wouldn't suggest adding traces?

    Regards,

    -Larcat
     
    #3 larcat, Jul 27, 2012
  4. Whiskey

    Whiskey Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2010
    Messages:
    368
    Likes Received:
    1
    Local Time:
    12:03 AM
    Another thing I've found to be helpful at keeping algae at bay in a low light tank is some kind of emergent growth such as duckweed on the surface of the tank. I'm not sure if this is because it lowers the light in the tank, or because it grows faster having access to the CO2 in the air keeping nutreants in check but either way I've had best luck with low tech tanks including some floating plants.

    Whiskey
     
    #4 Whiskey, Jul 27, 2012
  5. dutchy

    dutchy Plant Guru Team
    Lifetime Member

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2009
    Messages:
    2,280
    Likes Received:
    4
    Local Time:
    12:03 AM
    My PAR meter tells me that for every 4 inch extra height of the fixture the PAR reduces around 10 micromol.
     
    #5 dutchy, Jul 27, 2012
  6. larcat

    larcat Junior Poster

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2011
    Messages:
    12
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    12:03 AM
    So with this kind of fixture it is linear?

    Hrm. Idon'tgettit. But thanks!
     
    #6 larcat, Jul 27, 2012
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Loading...
Similar Threads - Light height Dosing
  1. FacePlanted

    Reducing light by raising height?

    FacePlanted, Aug 3, 2007, in forum: General Plant Topics
    Replies:
    9
    Views:
    1,254
    FacePlanted
    Aug 5, 2007
  2. Lucio Cerelli

    Indoor Grow Light In Planted Aquarium

    Lucio Cerelli, Mar 15, 2020, in forum: Lighting
    Replies:
    1
    Views:
    253
    Capsaicin
    Mar 17, 2020
  3. lofo87

    How Much Is High Light And How Increase Dosage

    lofo87, Mar 10, 2020, in forum: Aquatic Plant Fertilization
    Replies:
    0
    Views:
    208
    lofo87
    Mar 10, 2020
  4. Stan510

    I Stopped Using Led Lights And Sure Enough,bba And Black Algae Is Gone..

    Stan510, Mar 4, 2020, in forum: Algae Control
    Replies:
    14
    Views:
    826
    keval
    Apr 4, 2020
  5. Stan510

    How To Build The Perfect Spectrum Led Light.

    Stan510, Jan 18, 2020, in forum: Lighting
    Replies:
    4
    Views:
    533
    jeffkrol
    Feb 16, 2020

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...
    Dismiss Notice