EI on 180g low light with Metal Halide

[rthomas]

Hi,
- I am planning to rescape my 180g with a low-light low-maintenance in mind. My 2-units of MH are 150W each and hung about 19 inches from the water level. Photoperiod will be 8 hours.

- Plant species that I have in mind are only these: Bolbitis, Java Ferns, Mini Java ferns and Christmas Moss. They will be secured onto driftwood and rocks. No plants will be planted in ADA AS.

- The tank will be equipped with pressurized CO2 and will have 2 ceramic diffusors. I have 2 units of Eheim 2228 and supplemented by 2 wave makers.

- Water is soft here and I will be adding Calcium Sulphate and Magnesium Sulphate. I also have KNO3, KH2PO4 and CSM+B

I am fairly ok with calculating EI requirements for high light tank but am very uncertain about this low light low maintenance tank. Question:
- Shud I hang the lights higher ?
- How much (teaspoon) CaSO4 and MgSO4 should I add ?
- How many teaspoon KNO3, KH2PO4 and CSM+B should I add ?
- Do I dose them 3 times a week or less ?

Appreciate your thoughts. TIA.

[ismenio]

Hi,
- I am planning to rescape my 180g with a low-light low-maintenance in mind. My 2-units of MH are 150W each and hung about 19 inches from the water level. Photoperiod will be 8 hours.

- Plant species that I have in mind are only these: Bolbitis, Java Ferns, Mini Java ferns and Christmas Moss. They will be secured onto driftwood and rocks. No plants will be planted in ADA AS.

- The tank will be equipped with pressurized CO2 and will have 2 ceramic diffusors. I have 2 units of Eheim 2228 and supplemented by 2 wave makers. Do you need CO2 really ? Bolbitis, Java Ferns, Mini Java ferns and Christmas Moss go well without CO2.

- Water is soft here and I will be adding Calcium Sulphate and Magnesium Sulphate. I also have KNO3, KH2PO4 and CSM+B

I am fairly ok with calculating EI requirements for high light tank but am very uncertain about this low light low maintenance tank. Question:
- Shud I hang the lights higher ? Yes, i think you should at least double the distance and you will have moderate light and not low light !
- How much (teaspoon) CaSO4 and MgSO4 should I add ?
- How many teaspoon KNO3, KH2PO4 and CSM+B should I add ? For non CO2 tank 1/10 of EI twice a month should do but for moderate light with CO2 and with the plants you want put with 2/3 of EI should be fine.
- Do I dose them 3 times a week or less ? If you use the dose of EI for High Light Tanks 2 times a week is fine.

Appreciate your thoughts. TIA.

But wait for the experts, i use MH to and for low light i have to put my lamps over 24 inches above the tank.

Regards

[rthomas]

What about your dosing regime ?

[ismenio]

Well, is a Goldfish tank and i donīt use CO2, i dose 1/10 twice a month.

[ismenio]

By the way, why the rescape ?
If the problem is the fast grow just decrease the light ! Is easy

[rthomas]

I want different plants and the current Iwagumi scape is not something that I want with the new plants.

Hope someone who have done this before can jump in and comment about fertz (dosing amount) etc. Thanks

[Gerryd]

Hi Roger,

Lights:

I had 3x150w over a 180 and they were raised over 1 meter over the tank to provide still high light of 90-100 mmoles of PAR at the substrate...

EI: I would simply dose the basic EI for a 180 or a bit less and go from there. Decrease until an issue arises Up to you on frequency...ADA will help but water column fertilization should also be done...Based on fish load, perhaps EI is needed less.

Hope this helps.

[rthomas]

Hi Gerry,
Thanks for your comment.

I think I got an issue with my MH. I just cannot recall how old those bulbs were *blush* . Looks like they are quite dim and for that reason I don't hang them up any higher. BTW, any ball park figure (ppm) that I should go with Ca and Mg ?

Thanks.

[Htomassini]

If dosing with something like seachem equilibrium or Barr booster its 7g for 20g

Also a low light with mh would be only one mh suspended. Mh are very strong.


Henry tomassini
www.theplantedaquariumstore.com
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