Hi there all!
I'm in need of the UKAPS knowledge base again... A while ago I attempted to have a lovely colorful tank filled with a variety of pinky-red's like rotala rotundifolia and flat out natural red plants like alternanthera reineckii mini. I understand that maintaining red colours in the rotala group are challenging but surely not alternanthera reineckii. The bright colours quickly dulled beyond what could be described as red.
I'm aware that high light and bring on a wide range of problems- namely algae and nutrient deficiencies. And am prepared for these risks. Only issue is that there are no nutrient deficiencies- only non red plants!!
I tried to grow HC and glosso but both just grew upwards. Have switched to Hairgrass
Co2 is being banged in so drop checker is just yellow.
Ferts EI- Triple dosing with additional Iron - no livestock so not an issue.
Flow makes all the plants move in the tank gently - spray bar distribution- in line Co2 diffuser.
This is where the lighting issue comes into debate. 30litre tank. Light unit suspended an inch above the water level. The lighting unit is 2x24w compact florescent 6500k 8 hours a day.
Question 1) is it possible to ignite a 24w bulb even if the ballast or lighting unit is not that size. It's a cheapy china one so maybe this could be the reason.
Question 2) The bulbs are also cheapy 6500k about £1 each. I read on a previous thread that cheap bulbs dont provide the correct colour spectrum but I know that Ceg disputes this.
Any help would be seriously appriciated
I'm in need of the UKAPS knowledge base again... A while ago I attempted to have a lovely colorful tank filled with a variety of pinky-red's like rotala rotundifolia and flat out natural red plants like alternanthera reineckii mini. I understand that maintaining red colours in the rotala group are challenging but surely not alternanthera reineckii. The bright colours quickly dulled beyond what could be described as red.
I'm aware that high light and bring on a wide range of problems- namely algae and nutrient deficiencies. And am prepared for these risks. Only issue is that there are no nutrient deficiencies- only non red plants!!
I tried to grow HC and glosso but both just grew upwards. Have switched to Hairgrass
Co2 is being banged in so drop checker is just yellow.
Ferts EI- Triple dosing with additional Iron - no livestock so not an issue.
Flow makes all the plants move in the tank gently - spray bar distribution- in line Co2 diffuser.
This is where the lighting issue comes into debate. 30litre tank. Light unit suspended an inch above the water level. The lighting unit is 2x24w compact florescent 6500k 8 hours a day.
Question 1) is it possible to ignite a 24w bulb even if the ballast or lighting unit is not that size. It's a cheapy china one so maybe this could be the reason.
Question 2) The bulbs are also cheapy 6500k about £1 each. I read on a previous thread that cheap bulbs dont provide the correct colour spectrum but I know that Ceg disputes this.
Any help would be seriously appriciated