[Hillbilly51]

I currently have 125 gallon tank with a 72" - 6 x 96 watt compact flourescent. Is this lighting too much or not enough for freshwater fish and/or plants?

 

[Lupin]

Hi and welcome aboard, Billy.:wave:

That's about 5wpg.:shock2: If you have enough cash on your wallet, you could toy the idea of a planted tank.:mrgreen: For that, you'll need CO2 to encourage fast growth.

What fish were you planning anyway?

 

[crazie.eddie]

If you are going to use all the lights, then you will need plants that require high lighting and will need to provide CO2 and additional ferts (fertilizers). Otherwise, if you want easy to grow, low tech (no CO2) planted tank, just keep the wattage under 2wpg, by just using only 2 of the lights. I have a 125 gallon tank and use a Coralife Deluxe lights, which uses (4) 96 watt bulbs, but I only use 2, which produces only about 1.5 wpg (watts per gallon).

 

[Hillbilly51]

Thanks for the quick reply;

Now the CO2 is something I am unfamiliar with so if you have a website to explain this further that you can send then greatly appreciated. So is there what you would say is a norm. for lighting (as I do like a planted tank) or does one shop for plants by the lighting required? Are the plants listed as ideal wpg for growth ?

 

[Lupin]

Thanks for the quick reply;

Now the CO2 is something I am unfamiliar with so if you have a website to explain this further that you can send then greatly appreciated. So is there what you would say is a norm. for lighting (as I do like a planted tank) or does one shop for plants by the lighting required? Are the plants listed as ideal wpg for growth ?

There are two types of CO2 you might try.:wink2:
DIY(Do-it-yourself) or pressurized..
I used 'pressurized' myself. More expensive than DIY though.:shake:

See the following threads for DIY:
http://www.fishforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=805
http://www.fishforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=806
CO2 Regilator thread

Links that you may read:
http://www.brainyday.com/jared/aquarium/co2.htm
http://sammyxp.tripod.com/html/id23.html

Take note that you have to buy a test kit for KH(carbonate hardness). If your KH is below 4.5dH with C02 added, chances are you'll get pH crash which will kill your fish.
pH crash is a sudden drop of pH by a large difference. pH should not fall beyond 5. Lowering of pH should be done gradually.

Raising KH is done by use of either crushed oyster shells or baking soda(sodium bicarbonate). High KH often stabilizes your pH and will prevent pH crash however if you felt the need to lower the pH with a high KH, this is very difficult as the pH will only go back to its usual level.
You can use peat when lowering your KH.

There is one member who uses 'pressurized' CO2. He's Andrew. If he goes online, he might give you tips as I cannot explain this myself clearly.:sarcastic:

As for plants, have a look at the following links for reference:
1-2wpg->low-light plants
3-5->plants that demand high lighting
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/browse.php?section=plants

-Other info to be continued later..Geez..No time..:shake: :mrgreen:

 

[crazie.eddie]

For 125 gallon tank, you have to go pressurised CO2 if you want to go with high tech tank. High tech tanks produce very lush, fast growth, which requires lots of maintenance due to constant trimming. Low tech tanks, since the nutrients and lighting are limited, can produce slow growing plants.

I like the low tech solution myself, due to the operating and maintenance cost is at the minimum.

 

[Lupin]

Here are the plants that are undemanding:
1. Elodea densa-fast grower.
2. Hornwort
3. Duckweed-Avoid this plant pest. They can cover your whole tank quickly no matter how you control them.
4. Anubias
5. Javan moss
6. Javan fern
7. Hygrophila difformis
8. Hygrophila polysperma
Javan ferns, javan moss and anubias should be placed under dimly-litted areas.

For a high lighting, you may want to try Cabomba caroliana, Rotala macrandra, Heternanthera zosterifolia, Vallisneria americana, Echinodorus bleheri, Echinodorus tenellus, Riccia fluitans...
So many to mention but these plants are often available in your pet shops.

Good luck with your plans.

 

[Hillbilly51]

Super thanks for all the help.. Just a brief personnal opinion requested. Saltwater vs. Freshwater.. Your choice and why ? I have only delt with the saltwater but opting for freshwater. Members thoughts ??

 

[crazie.eddie]

Although I never owned a SW tank, I LOVE the variety of fish and colors in a SW tank, but I would hate the operating and maintenance costs of running one. I still plan to run one some day.

I'm lazy and I don't want my FW tanks to become work, so I prefer something that's very easy to maintain and low cost to run.

 

[Gump]

I had a small reef and a large moray tank and i sold off all of it after a year. Salt isnt fun to me, with the money i was spending i could get some amazing rare freshwater fish that are just as nice looking and be a lot less work. Ill probally never own another salt tank.

 

[Melissa]

Well lets see, we have a saltwater tank and i love it. I personally think is is better that freshwater. And the costs of one depends all on what you want to have. For example a large reef tank with lots of corals and fish is going to be more work and money than say a fish only with live rock. Once you get it up and the way you want it its not hard at all. All you would need to do is water changes, testing, and adding minerals if needed. I think that most people are discouraged about saltwater tanks because of the price of things. But if you like what you are doing its not that bad. We have invested alot of money into our tank, and i dont regret any of it. Its very relaxing and enjoying. Like our little piece of the ocean.