Toolboys rescaped tank

[Toolboysa]

5336

Updated tank photo. Need some ideas for more plants.

System:

Size : L- 910 W- 310 H- 500
140 litres
Filter - Eheim professional prod code 2222
Max output 500l/h
Filtration what came with the pump
Flourite Dark gravel

2x Daro Flo-Glo 20W Red lights

[f-fish]

I think you have a good base to start with .. but maybe take the grass and spread it rather than just planting the potted clumps - think this will die back before it starts sending new runners. Also look at adding some colour via a background. You could consider cellophane - it is inexpensive and available in loads of colours - just stick it onto the outside of the back glass.Later Ferdie

[Vis]

Hi

Of to a good start, I would also add a background as it changes it quite a bit.

[Zoom]

As I said in my PM, you should look into getting some fertz, and check the lighting. That plant in the middle is indicating something is short in that tank.

Nice scape

[Linga]

nice start, definatly add a background, black is really nice as everything will stand out and look more bright in the tank. i think your lights are not enough for the size of tank, esp at 500 high. maybe look at T5, or you can just use CFL bulbs atleast you wont need ballasts, i am getting decent growth using the phillips genie 18 watt lamps

[Toolboysa]

HI

Ive added a background. Made a big difference. The lights Ive got dont have K values on the box or on the tube. It does say T8 should I change these to T5. Or should I just find T8 with Kelvin data

[Toolboysa]

Ordered 2x T8 6500K bulbs today

[Zoom]

Ordered 2x T8 6500K bulbs today

Good choice. Good buy

[Toolboysa]

Mmmmm wonder where i got the idea for 6500K bulbs from........... Thanks Zoom

[f-fish]

Toolboysa "Ive added a background" - no picture so it did not happen :bigsmile:

Any changes you make - 1) take photos (even if you do not spam TASA with them) 2) keep them small and observe the impact. 3) Find what works for you - then your fish and plants.


Later Ferdie

[Linga]

hi nice choice on the lamps but i would still suggest you maybe add another as the 2x 20 watts is going to be enough for low light plants.

[azurekoi]

2x Daro Flo-Glo 20W Red lights

Know these to only have a Kelvin rating of like 4200 - only good enough to grow Java fern realy... any updated pics with the 6500's?

[dangerousd]

dangerousd ... not only is the Kelvin rating important(especialy in deep tanks like yours - you need that extra Oomph to punch light down to the depths..),but also very important is the specific light spectrum of a tube...Toolboysa's intial lights where what we call "Beauty Lights" in the trade - Great for highlighting the reds/oranges on fish like Goldfish and malawi's,but not the correct colour spectrum for good plant growth...

Look out for high kelvin rated tubes marketed as "Day light whites" they give a natural,colour spectrum balanced light output... "Gro-lux" bulbs are specifically created to promote plant growth,peaking a bit more in the yellow part of the colour spectrum...Using a combo of the two works great - I personally dont like the visual aspect of a tank with just a Grow Lux type tube....

thanks for the info... kind off understand what you saying
for my big tank 1200l 1,8 x 800 x 800 = what would you think would be a good lighting choice

I was going to go with 6 x T5 lights (3 of the 85cm each side)
I did a test the other day with 2 (1 with white light K rating 6500 and the other was light reddish with a huge k rating 1200 or something)
Combined they seem to work pretty well

Would they penetrate deeper enough in the tank for plant growth?

Some guys are saying I should go with CFL spot lights

[dangerousd]

Know these to only have a Kelvin rating of like 4200 - only good enough to grow Java fern realy... any updated pics with the 6500's?

Sorry for hi-jack - but if you had lighting system that had 6400K - would that good enough for plant growth?

[azurekoi]

dangerousd ... not only is the Kelvin rating important(especialy in deep tanks like yours - you need that extra Oomph to punch light down to the depths..),but also very important is the specific light spectrum of a tube...Toolboysa's intial lights where what we call "Beauty Lights" in the trade - Great for highlighting the reds/oranges on fish like Goldfish and malawi's,but not the correct colour spectrum for good plant growth...

Look out for high kelvin rated tubes marketed as "Day light whites" they give a natural,colour spectrum balanced light output... "Gro-lux" bulbs are specifically created to promote plant growth,peaking a bit more in the yellow part of the colour spectrum...Using a combo of the two works great - I personally dont like the visual aspect of a tank with just a Grow Lux type tube....