Grobeam 600 - Intensity and Photo Period

[aaron.c]

Hi All

From the off I realise this is a bit of a 'how long is a piece of string' kind of question, but humour me...

So, I have got rid of the remaining T5 tube in my 125l tank. I am now running 2 Grobeam 600s.

I have invested in the controller as the lights were far too bright, and an algae nightmare waiting to happen.

So my question is, as a starter for 10, what kind of intensity and lighting period would people reccomend for a high tech tank? Most of the substrate is covered, either with stems or carpet plants.

I realise my circumstances/plants/co2/EI dose etc all affect both of these parameters, but I am after a starting point to work from.

As it stands at the moment growth is not good and the plants look a bit sorry for themselves. I am assuming this is more likely to be down to too much light and not enough CO2 more than not enough light.

Aaron

 

[Julian]

20% is a good place to start, it's hard to say though, but less light is better than too much. Increase it weekly by 2% or so, until you start to see signs of algae.

Photo period can be as long as you like, but that's assuming you can keep your CO2 levels stable. When I had fish, I couldn't leave the CO2 on any longer than 8 hours else the fish would start to gasp at the surface, so I had to have a photo period of the same length.

 

[aaron.c]

Thanks Julian

I have glosso carpet so worry that 20% might be a bit low. Would it be better to run it a higher % but for a shorter photo period?

My lights currently run from 18:00 to 23:00.

Thanks

 

[ian_m]

Would it be better to run it a higher % but for a shorter photo period

No. If your CO2 levels and distribution (and ferts) aren't keeping up with the light level, you will start killing the plants, so ensure CO2 is spot on before raising light levels.

Remember there are no such things as "high light" plants or "low light" plants, all need light, its just that some can thrive better with higher light (and CO2 and ferts of course). People have grown glosso in "low light" it just takes longer. Higher light also means the quicker things go wrong.

 

[aaron.c]

I have got CO2 in a good place now I think. I updated to a Co2 Art Regulator so I could run the UP atomiser at 3bar. I am getting the full 1 level drop with the PH ahead of lights on - 7.4 down to 6.4.

I was really struggling with the previous TMC V2 regulator - the bubble count and output seemed to be all over the place. Even with a brand new bottle of CO2.

Distribution is taken care of by a JBL Cristal Profi 1501 and a spray bar.

I have two drop checkers in the tank, one up high and one down low, on different sides of the tank to try and keep an eye on distribution as much as possible. I am also doing regular PH tests.

I will keep the lights down low for now and monitor algae.

Cheers for the feedback.
Aaron

 

[ian_m]

I will keep the lights down low for now and monitor algae.

Algae is the symptom of plants dying, usually due to too much light for the level of CO2 (and fertz) they are getting. This is why the "experts" can use monsterous light levels (over 5W/Gal) and stay algae free.

 

[aaron.c]

Thanks Ian.

Just so I know what to look out for, what signs would you expect to see from plants that don't have enough light?

Or should I simply keep increasing intensity each week while algae is at bay.

Thanks
Aaron

 

[ian_m]

what signs would you expect to see from plants that don't have enough light

Provided they have light, your Growbeams at 15% (or more) is fine, the plants will just grow slowly. Up the light, they grow faster. Up the light too much and not match the CO2 (or ferts) and plants will suffer.