Okay, I have a standard size 125G (72 X 18 X 21) with the following:
Parameters:
EI fert routine,
CO2 injection with two external reactors plumbed
in-line,
Two Eheim 2217 filters,
Two Aquaclear 110's for additional circulation,
Aquasoil,
585 watts of Coralife Aqualight PC lights (3 watts per
gallon for 8 hours per day and 4.5 watts per gallon
for a three hour noon burst)
Problem:
1. The HC refuses to grow and is actually dying.
The other plants grow well and HC is the only one that
does not respond to the light and fert routine.
Possible solutions:
I am thinking of replacing the PC lights with stronger lights.
Possibilities include the following:
1. Coralife Aqualight Pro 72" which includes three 150
watt metal halides and 4 96 watt PC's for a total of
834 watts.
2. Nova Extreme Pro 72" which includes 12 39 watt T5
lamps for a total of 468 watts. This fixture has semi
individual reflectors.
I am not interested in hanging the fixture and each of these
fixtures have legs that will raise the fixture a couple of inches
over the water.
My questions are as follows:
1. Does anybody have experience with either of these two
fixtures?
2. I know the first fixture will emit adequate light for HC.
Will the water overheat from the metal halide lights
raised just a couple of inches over the water?
Will I have to raise metal halide lights 8 or 12 inches to
prevent overheating? How about if I place the lights
over a covered aquarium using just the legs? Will the glass or water overheat?
I anticipate that the metal halide lights would be on 1 to
3 hours per day depending upon the plants' response.
3. Does the second fixture have adequate PAR for HC in a
125G tank? I know that T5 lamps are very cool so the
heat issue is nonexistent with those lights.
4. Any other light fixtures that might be appropriate for a
125?
Thanks for any and all input.
Regards,
PMD
Parameters:
EI fert routine,
CO2 injection with two external reactors plumbed
in-line,
Two Eheim 2217 filters,
Two Aquaclear 110's for additional circulation,
Aquasoil,
585 watts of Coralife Aqualight PC lights (3 watts per
gallon for 8 hours per day and 4.5 watts per gallon
for a three hour noon burst)
Problem:
1. The HC refuses to grow and is actually dying.
The other plants grow well and HC is the only one that
does not respond to the light and fert routine.
Possible solutions:
I am thinking of replacing the PC lights with stronger lights.
Possibilities include the following:
1. Coralife Aqualight Pro 72" which includes three 150
watt metal halides and 4 96 watt PC's for a total of
834 watts.
2. Nova Extreme Pro 72" which includes 12 39 watt T5
lamps for a total of 468 watts. This fixture has semi
individual reflectors.
I am not interested in hanging the fixture and each of these
fixtures have legs that will raise the fixture a couple of inches
over the water.
My questions are as follows:
1. Does anybody have experience with either of these two
fixtures?
2. I know the first fixture will emit adequate light for HC.
Will the water overheat from the metal halide lights
raised just a couple of inches over the water?
Will I have to raise metal halide lights 8 or 12 inches to
prevent overheating? How about if I place the lights
over a covered aquarium using just the legs? Will the glass or water overheat?
I anticipate that the metal halide lights would be on 1 to
3 hours per day depending upon the plants' response.
3. Does the second fixture have adequate PAR for HC in a
125G tank? I know that T5 lamps are very cool so the
heat issue is nonexistent with those lights.
4. Any other light fixtures that might be appropriate for a
125?
Thanks for any and all input.
Regards,
PMD