Hi all,
So quick update on using 240 watts of T8 on a 180 with 20-25 micromoles at the substrate and 45-50 at the surface. Dosing c02 and full EI..
Aesthetics:
I personally like it better than the MH. I DO miss the MH shimmer, but was way too much light. A bit yellow, but will try out different T8s over time...
Algae:
None so far. But tank is only filled with water as of what, 10/17 or so? 5 weeks maybe?
Plant growth: Please note some plants are only in the tank for < 2 weeks..
Slow but steady. Nice color, leaf formation, etc. I could increase the light and speed it up, but why mess with a good thing?? I am in no real hurry...
Stauro repens 49 - doing well in 20-25 PAR but the lowest leaves do seem to drop more than when I had twice the PAR... but is early on and we will see.
Pogostemon helferi - doing well at the same PAR as the 49. Starting to sprout side shoots but the specimens are well rooted and sprouting new and larger inner leaves..
Rotala macrandra Japan - this is a tissue culture sample from Claus.. doing well so far in this low light, as it is only 3-4" tall. Nice formation and seems to be doing well. We'll see.
Java fern varieties, anubias var, and bolbitus all doing well as expected. I had a LOT of trouble with these plants using MH so I am THRILLED that they are again doing well. I hope to show off some nice bunches and maybe sell some in the future if all goes well.
I think the anubias petite (minima) is going to do real well, and may eventually become the carpet plant. I think that would look awesome personally....
I really think that these MH fixtures are WAY overkill for what most of us want..
I think T8 or T12 is the most I will use for plants going forward....esp as I really like the lower light 'look'.
I think I will use my MH if I do the tangy tank to help grow different algae forms for them
Bottom line is plants will do well with lower light if all other conditions are met.
So quick update on using 240 watts of T8 on a 180 with 20-25 micromoles at the substrate and 45-50 at the surface. Dosing c02 and full EI..
Aesthetics:
I personally like it better than the MH. I DO miss the MH shimmer, but was way too much light. A bit yellow, but will try out different T8s over time...
Algae:
None so far. But tank is only filled with water as of what, 10/17 or so? 5 weeks maybe?
Plant growth: Please note some plants are only in the tank for < 2 weeks..
Slow but steady. Nice color, leaf formation, etc. I could increase the light and speed it up, but why mess with a good thing?? I am in no real hurry...
Stauro repens 49 - doing well in 20-25 PAR but the lowest leaves do seem to drop more than when I had twice the PAR... but is early on and we will see.
Pogostemon helferi - doing well at the same PAR as the 49. Starting to sprout side shoots but the specimens are well rooted and sprouting new and larger inner leaves..
Rotala macrandra Japan - this is a tissue culture sample from Claus.. doing well so far in this low light, as it is only 3-4" tall. Nice formation and seems to be doing well. We'll see.
Java fern varieties, anubias var, and bolbitus all doing well as expected. I had a LOT of trouble with these plants using MH so I am THRILLED that they are again doing well. I hope to show off some nice bunches and maybe sell some in the future if all goes well.
I think the anubias petite (minima) is going to do real well, and may eventually become the carpet plant. I think that would look awesome personally....
I really think that these MH fixtures are WAY overkill for what most of us want..
I think T8 or T12 is the most I will use for plants going forward....esp as I really like the lower light 'look'.
I think I will use my MH if I do the tangy tank to help grow different algae forms for them
Bottom line is plants will do well with lower light if all other conditions are met.
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