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Originally Posted by Professor Myers
Sounds like a nice little setup !  |
Thanks! Here's a picture of it just taken tonight (I know the echinodorus is way to big for this tank now but my wife likes it and I need to get rid of the plastic ornaments but the kids like them):
Quote:
Originally Posted by Professor Myers
Given that your setup is DIY yeast reactor Co2, and the depth of your tank your lighting sounds a bit high ? I would go for 2 to 2.5 WPG. I am also partial to PC lights so I'm afraid I am the wrong guy to ask about converting your lighting. Personally I would go with a higher spectrum, but I don't believe it's critical.
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My lighting is probably pretty close to right-on then... the lumen and/or PAR output from my 60W worth of 4x15W T8 tubes is actually less than that of a single 55W PC bulb with a parabolic reflector. I might just stick with the lighting I have and bump up to the 6700K bulbs when replacement time comes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Professor Myers
Your lighting sounds adequate if not high. If you sincerely want to invest in the system I would consider a decent substrate like ADA Aqua soil or Seachem Flourite or Onyx. You might also consider investing in tanked Co2 ?
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Any thoughts on the new Eco-Complete substrate from RedSea? As I originally stated, one of my primary goals for this tank was to keep cost as low as possible (I just enjoy making things work well while keeping them simple... it's a personal challenge to myself I guess) so that is why I went the DIY CO2 route for now. if it starts to show signs of not being enough, I will probably add a second 2-litre bottle, connecting the two by a DIY manifold and putting them each on a cycle two-weeks apart from each other... I could even add a third if necessary for only pennies more than I have into it now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Professor Myers
Last but certainly not least I would repeat that Substrate is "Always" a key component to Plant cultivation of any type. While I firmly believe in water column nutrients the plants evolved with Roots ! and you cannot overlook that and expect successful results. HTH Prof M
P.S. Do have a look at Tom's little Co2 reactor. For a system such as your own It's Da Bomb ! ;^)
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These two comments are greatly appreciated and duly noted... I kind of ignored the substrate aspect up to this point and it's probably time to pay a little attention to that. I can get both Seachem and Red Sea products for pretty close to wholesale prices so I'd like to stick with either the fluorite or the Eco-Complete... your thoughts on either?
That littleCO2 reactor of Tom's looks like a fun little DIY project... I just might "have to" try it!
Thanks for the reply!
-Jimbob