On 30 Dec 2002 03:16:17 GMT, tose (LeighMo) wrote:

Im planning on doing a Co2 setup, yes. If so, what types of lighting would
I need. I would like 3 watts per gallon - or close to it.

That's quite a bit of light output. Here's my setup and story.

I've had tanks off and on since I was a teenager (now 46). Presently
I've got a 75G AGA tank (48L X 18D X 20H). I started the planted tank
expedition with just the 2 T12 tubes that fit in the AGA dual tube
hood, and no type of co2 injection whatsoever. The plants didn't do
well at all. I figured that they needed a little co2 so I sprung for a
carbo-plus. While this device might work well in a smaller tank I
noticed that there wasn't much of a co2/ppm increase even with it
running full bore (ph and hardness didn't change at all) with it's
use. The replacement cost of the carbon blocks isn't cheap either. So
I figured that it was time to bite the bullet, and go for broke, if I
was going to do the "live plant thing". I got the retro 2x55w kit from
ahsupply. I followed the directions to the letter for the
installation. I made the mistake of turning it on while it was "bulbs
up" to see just how bright it actually was. My eyes haven't been the
same since. Ya need a welding hood to look at this setup!!!!! I also
sprung for all the necessary items needed for compressed co2
injection. I got a 5G tank from a local welding supplier, and the
regulator, hoses, needle valve, and diffuser from Dave Gomberg
(wcf.com). I got a bunch of different plants from one of the various
sources on the net and set up my tank with the real plants. They did
well for the first month, and as their natural reserves were depleted
they started to decdline in growth and looks. I got a horrendous algae
outbreak, and figured that I wasn't adding fertilizer in enough
quantity, and frequency to keep the plants out competing the algae. I
upped the dose rate, with reservation that I might actually give the
algae more food to dine on. To my amazement the algae almost
disappeared in a matter of days, and of course the plants took off and
look much better now that they are getting the nourishment they need.
So I guess in closing I'm stating that with my 75G I'm having good
luck with 110 watts of light. The plants pearl nicely and if there is
a broken leaf vein there is usually a steady stream of o2 bubbles
rising to the surface. Even with all of the info available on the net
from seasoned aquascapers your setup is going to be a trial and error
process. For those that care, here are the tank particulars...

ph 7.4-7.6

hardness about 7-8

ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates all measure 0.0

2 big boxes of laterite intermixed in gravel substrate

filtration is a Magnum 350 pro with marbles in the charcoal canister
to keep it from collapsing, as the filter sleeve loads up.

water changes are about 25% every other week with a complete filter
cleaning (bio wheels are NEVER cleaned) and about a tablespoon of salt
added per gallon (4tbs per change). No ill effects with the added
salt.

fertilization is liquid via water column, as well as root tabs.

Mobile inhabitants.
3 wild angels
tetras, 6 head and tail light, 5 cardinal, 1 blue
4 silver hatchets
2 pineapple swordtails
2 black sailfin mollies
4 yo-yo (pakastani) loaches
2 do-jo (weather) loaches
6 zebra danios
3 glass cats
2 guppies
2 leopard corys
probably something else I'm forgetting since the tank lights are
presently off.

I also had a pair of kuhli loach juvies but they were so small that I
think they were harassed to death.

I also tried a pair of apple snails but the yo-yo's made a meal out of
them

had fiddler crabs with a biosphere for quite awhile. They did well
except for the one that managed to get out of the tank. The beagle had
a ball with it for awhile!!!



Planted inhabitants
2 amazon swords
2 dwarf hairgrass
1 java fern on driftwood
2 crypt wendtii
1 anubias nana round leaf
1 madagascar lace
5 anacharis
15 ambulia
15 green cabomba
5 hornwort floating (since removed) messy real messy
5 corkscrew vals
5 microswords

all inhabitants appear healthy and happy since I upped the fertilizer

joe