ATI dimmable and Photo period schedule for color plants

[kevinbkk]

Hi
i am bit started to get confused , i got a ATI dimmable (24 inches x 6 bulbs with 2 dimmable channels ), for my 35 gallon tank, and the bulbs that i am using are Aqua flora =2, midday =2 on channel 1, and on channel 2 i am having odyssey 10000k=1, ,ATI blue special=1 ,
my photo period starts at 12 pm from 1% and reaches to 50% by 2 pm both channels
2 pm to 8 pm remains 50 %
8 pm to 10 pm it dim's down and get off

i am on EI dosing dry ferts as macro, and i am using tropica nutrient as micro 2 ml daily,
i don't have algae, plant growth is average,glosso's are flat, no vertical growth,

plants that i have are, Rotala Macrandra. rotala rotundifolia, rotala vietnam , blyxa japonica and glosso as carpet, pressured tank for C02, drop check remains a a bit yellow side, as i have a nice surface ripples fishes are doing fine

my issue is non of the above plants are retaining its colors, all the rotola's are green in color, rotala rotundifolia, does have a bit pinkish shade under the leaf but are green on top, so they look good when they are closed
i don t know what i am doing wrong , well i tried to increase a bit of light , but i then i see BBA rising its head and still no change in color , so i am thinking to shorten the photo period and increase the intensity,
before i start experimenting , i am looking for some suggestions from experience aquatics on photo periods specially from those guys who are using ATI dimmables, with similar bulbs

Thanks is advance


,

[Gerryd]

Hi,

What are the dims of the tank?

How high off the surface are the lights?

Even at 50% you will have a lot of light. I use 45% of my ATI approx 14" above a 20" tank and still get PAR readings in the 80-110 range. This is a lot of light.

[kevinbkk]

Hi Gerryd
thanks for your reply the dimensions of my tank are
Width: 30" (76.2cm)
Height: 16" (40.64cm)
Depth: 18" (45.72cm)
light is above 15 inches over the surface , and i don't own a PAR meter so i don't know PAR values,
Gerryd are you using the same size of fixture as of me ? that is 24 inches, i guess as size of fixtures does matter , PAR produced by 24 inches x 6 fixture will not be same as 36 x 6 or 48 x 6 even all at same distance from the surface

Regards

kevin