How to up my lighting the cheap way.

[pleechford]

Hey guys. I have a 25 gallon tall heavily planted tank. I need to up my lighting because my glosso is growing vertically and not horizontally and my rotala colorata is not turning pink. I have a current nova x2 t5ho 2x24 watt. I am getting right at 2wpg. What do you guys suggest for me to up my lighting? I want to keep my current fixture on and just add another fixture. Preferably DYI. Suggestions? Metal halide, another t5ho fixture, cfls??

 

[Marquis]

Hey guys. I have a 25 gallon tall heavily planted tank. I need to up my lighting because my glosso is growing vertically and not horizontally and my rotala colorata is not turning pink. I have a current nova x2 t5ho 2x24 watt. I am getting right at 2wpg. What do you guys suggest for me to up my lighting? I want to keep my current fixture on and just add another fixture. Preferably DYI. Suggestions? Metal halide, another t5ho fixture, cfls??

there's a thread in sw were a guy is using 20 watt led flood lights and they are working to grow coral as far as i know. I think they are around 40 - 60 bucks each 2 should get u what u want cheap

 

[stingrays4]

Hi do you use reflectors? This is a cheap way to up the lighting without actually getting any extra lighting?

 

[pleechford]

Yes I use reflectors. This reflector on my fixture now is supposed to be top of the line.



Do you think I should get 2 6500k bulbs would that help?

 

[pleechford]

This is my glosso. I trimmed about 2 days ago and still is growing tall.

 

[pleechford]

Tank shot

 

[stingrays4]

Hi nice reflectors How old are the tubes? As they lose intensity after awhile. As for the 6500K tubes, could be worth a try before investing in another form of lighting?

 

[stingrays4]

Hi nice photo's Also do you use fertilisers for your plants? Do any of your plants 'pearl' {produce oxygen bubbles}

 

[pleechford]

Thanks! I just use flourish comprehensive. I want to get into dry ferts but I don't know much about it. Also I just upped my co2 to try it out to see if I wasn't getting enough co2 and my Riccia is pearling right now I want to get a better diffuser. I have a standard glass one and I'm losing so much co2. How can I get my plants to pearl really well?

 

[stingrays4]

Hi mine only 'pearl' after a water change? I would guess its all about getting the balance right between - lights, fertiliser and Co2 so a little trial and error is needed to get to your perfect mixture

 

[pleechford]

Okay sweet. I think I need more lighting for sure. I just don't know how because I'm not trying to spend much since my current light fixture was like 125 bucks.

 

[Mr.Pleco]

You can go on eBay. I needed to replace 2 older fixtures that came with the tank and there are a bunch on ebay. I didn't end up buying one but I looked at most. I ended up getting another DeepBlue like my other 2 HO's.

t5 aquarium light | eBay

 

[pleechford]

Okay great! Thanks!!

 

[pleechford]

I also saw some on YouTube grow glosso effectively using the construction reflectors and CFLs? I could try a cfl flood light or a regular cfl 6500k and a reflector to see if that'll work? What do you guys think since I have those reflectors already.

 

[pleechford]

Hi nice reflectors How old are the tubes? As they lose intensity after awhile. As for the 6500K tubes, could be worth a try before investing in another form of lighting?

Okay do I double checked the bulbs I have now. I have one 12000k bulb and a aqua flora bulb. I don't feel as if it is a good growth set up. Should I replace the 12000k with a 6500k or 8000k? I just low the crisp white color I get with the 12000k bulb but I know it's doing nothing for my plants...