Logic316 wrote:
Pedro wrote:
Logic316,
I have a 58G tank with Bolivian Rams, angels, some cories and
gouramis. Currently I have two OTO and two Tru SAE in there. I do
weekly water changes and feed them twice a day.
Nitrate, nitrites, ammonia, ph, etc are at normal levels. Lights are
being controlled by a timer. I currently have a FloraBase substrate.
Plants are growing but many have this brownish thing that looks like
alage on the leaves. I will see if I can get some amano shrimps and
keep monitoring the levels.
Regardins the light, any brands in particular?How do I calculate how
many watts per gallon it provides?
I couldn't say exactly which brands are best, but for a tank your size
you may want to use a fluorescent light as it will be cooler and less
expensive to operate (if your lamp fixture is designed for an
incandescent bulb, you can buy special fluorescent bulbs that can screw
into it). Also, try to find an aquarium light that claims to radiate as
little light as possible in the red spectrum, because red light tends to
stimulate algae growth. Anyway, you need a minimum of 2 watts per gallon
(but no more than 5), so you multiply 2 watts times 58 gallons. This
means that you need at least a 116 watt light bulb, but a bulb that's no
stronger than 290 watts (5x58).
- Logic316
"The difference between death and taxes is death
doesn't get worse every time Congress meets."
-- Will Rogers
Huh? Blue promotes algae, not red. Both red and blue are essential for
healthy plant growth, though. Current wisdom is to use full spectrum
lighting with 5500K or 6700K color temperatures. There is no way to
light a 58 gallon tank adequately with incandescent lights, unless
you're talking metal halide. You can use flourescent T8 bulbs, compact
flourescent lighting, or metal halide pendants. Brand is not terribly
important, but Coralife makes very high quality fixtures and bulbs. I'd
recommend manageable levels of light - 120 watts (low) or 160 watts
(medium) of light for your tank.
You will also need to add CO2 or a carbon source if you want robust
plant growth. Otherwise the bright lighting will cause algae. You can
either go with a pressurized CO2 canister, yeast bottles, or Flourish Excel.
--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html '__
rec.aquaria.* FAQ
http://faq.thekrib.com