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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 |
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