bad pictures and light questions

[jenglish]

my panted tank is in a state of disrepair. Saddly it has fallen to the back burner since my relapse into reefing. Honestly I have had 3 planted tanks and they have all been more problematic than my reef tank. the substrate is a mix of mud, stabalized laterite, other rock and even a bit of sand. the 96watt PC is long past due for replacement. Its like over 18 months old . I know.... I bad fish geek, feel free to throw wrotten mysis in my general direction.

So I am thinking a new 96w 6700k bulb, and brand suggestions?
I have a sword, a forest of hygro and a bit of what I call java moss. Looking for suggestion on revamping my plant material and adding CO2 fro a yeast based system. anyways, Any thoughts?

thanks
The incredible edible Eng

[jenglish]

[OneDummHikk]

Originally Posted by jenglish

So I am thinking a new 96w 6700k bulb, and brand suggestions?

Why not just a standard 4000K daylight sunlight bulb? FW plants aren't near as picky about spectrum as SW is. You should be able to get either for about the same cost though in a PC bulb.

Originally Posted by jenglish

I have a sword, a forest of hygro and a bit of what I call java moss. Looking for suggestion on revamping my plant material and adding CO2 fro a yeast based system. anyways, Any thoughts?

A DIY yeast based system? Don't waste your time trying them. I tried one on my 55 and it was more trouble than it was worth. No way to regulate the CO2. Day 1 it would produce CO2 like crazy and then it would taper off as the yeast/sugar was used up. Never used a commercial type unit so can't comment on those.

[jenglish]

Originally Posted by OneDummHikk

Why not just a standard 4000K daylight sunlight bulb? FW plants aren't near as picky about spectrum as SW is. You should be able to get either for about the same cost though in a PC bulb.

All I was seeing in square pin was 6700 or 10k or a split bulb between the 2.

A DIY yeast based system? Don't waste your time trying them. I tried one on my 55 and it was more trouble than it was worth. No way to regulate the CO2. Day 1 it would produce CO2 like crazy and then it would taper off as the yeast/sugar was used up. Never used a commercial type unit so can't comment on those.

I just didn't really want to shell out the 200 bones for a co2 cylinder and injection system. I tried a Co2 DIY myself once (also made some beer). I didn't see a difference in the tank really but the beer was aweful

I've been getting advice on a planted tank forum but they still all talk in WPG... which does not make me hopeful

[OneDummHikk]

The first time I made mine (a 2-liter DIY bottle) I didn't see a difference. It wasn't until I doubled the yeast/sugar in it that I saw a difference. I saw a huge difference the first few days (O2 bubbles on the leaves of the plants) and a difference in the pH. After that it would taper off and I got tired of checking it and the pH swings so I got rid of it. Haven't used one since but I broke down the planted tank. The next one will have a CO2 setup on it though. Bottle with a regulator.

[usmc2b2004]

I know this is off subject but is that a flowerhorn or a bolivian ram?

[jenglish]

There are 2 german blue rams in there. If it wasn't for the missus this would be the sump/fuge for my 30 reef . I had a very interesting angel/blue ram hybrid for abbout 6 months but he disapeared. THe 300 bucks for a pressurised co2 system just isnt worth it but I may give a low tech co2 one more chance before I scrap the project. My gf has a soft spot for the south american cichlids but I was always more of a fan of the Africans... until I can set my 75 back up the african are out though. One of the 3 dozen tanks I have in mind

[Hop]

I used DIY Co2 for many years. Now I wasn't running multiple halides at the time, but I was running numerous NO bulbs over driven and I had great growth and fewer problems than when I went pressurized co2, a reactor and halides. I just had the co2 running to the bottom of a powerhead as a diffuser. Efficient? probably not, but it worked

If it were me, it may be time for a tear down... I may try a 3 day blackout, followed by a split lighting cycle and see of it remedies itself. but being into planted tanks for so long, you probably know that things can be great one day and soup the next...

[jenglish]

the algae is not attrocios and the java moss and hygrophilla are doing great. the ocelot sword is hanging on. the 18 month old PC is probably the biggest problem at the moment

[Hop]

Sorry, I was looking at the pic and thought you were having a algae issue under the hygro... Now that I actually click on the pic, I see it was not what I thought...

[jenglish]

algae is on the back glass but just since my algae crew has declined. Down to 1 amano. I have a soft spot for inverts and theres a LFS that carries a dozen differnt species

[Hop]

I'm actually going to pack mine up this weekend I think. The only thing that kept it going for the last 6 years is the 3 clown loaches that I like. I've had them for about 10 years... but I think it is time they find a LFS and a new home!

[tabwyo]

From the pics you posted I can't really see that you have a serious need for CO2 addition given your current plant load and lighting. But is is good to keep in mind that if you up the light you need to up the CO2. If you are serious enough to go High light then you need to dump the cash for an automated compressed gas system. So you are looking at and extra 250 bucks if you know how to shop. make no mistakes. Keepinf a fabulous FW planted tank is just as big a PITA as a SPS reef tank. Just the plants don't kick you in the wallet as bad.