75 gallon t5

[sethevan]

I am new to this site,so first hello.I have a 75gallon fairly planted,adding more plants each week,no co2,add excell daily,dose flourish comprehensive twice a week,my lighting fixture is an48 inch aquaticlife 6 bulb t5 fixture,currently only running one bulb,just wondering if I could get away with running a second bulb for a 2hr burst in the afternoon,also do a 30-40% water change weekly.

[dutchy]

Hi and welcome on the BarrReport. Why you want to do this? If your plants are doing well I wouldn't risk it. You might be getting algae.

[sethevan]

My plants are holding there own,no super growth,is one bulb considered medium or low light on my tank,the fixture is 20.5 inches from subtrate.I have asked about t5 lighting on other forums and get conflicting answers.

[dutchy]

I'd say you have low light. let the plants give you an answer to your question. If the are well developed and grow well, the seem to be ok with the amount of light provided.

In non CO2 / excel tanks light should be limited, as well as photoperiod and intensity. If not, the carbon will run out before the photoperiod ends. Growth will stop and algae the consequence.

if you want more growth, first make sure the plants get all they need in ferts and CO2. If that's not enough, then use more light.

[sethevan]

Thanks for the info duthchy,I will do that.