I'm starting to turn against ferts...

[Sk3lly]

If its green water try a 3 day blackout. Completely cover the tank in towels or bin liners for 3 days. You need to not open it up during the three days though. This is a good remedy for green water.




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[MMantelli]

Id go another 6" to start then another 6 If theres still problema but I dont think street lights have the proper balance of color wavelengths.

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[lectraplayer]

By "street light," are you referring to those yellow HPS lamps? I'm not using that. In my case, I am using the reflector and the socket from the street light. Try looking at the spectrum of a 4100K MetalArc, though I have been looking at lamps in the 8000-10000k range. Still, there's a LOT of good PAR light available. I have also been chasing 5000K "grow lights," but spectra for them has been tough to find.

 

[Sk3lly]

Id be tempted to stay within the more recognised kelvin spectrum of 6000k to 10000k


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[lectraplayer]

That's really what I want.

However, many botanists like the 3000K spectra for flowering plants and the 5000K spectba for vegetive growth.

 

[Brookster123]

If you want something spectacular? Get a bml and call it a day..

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[lectraplayer]

High failure rates
High cost
Few options
Tedious color matching

Everything I don't want still. I'll check this one again next year

 

[Fresh2o]

Finnex LEDs are not that expensive. Not all the bells and whistles such as dimming with the current models but the new lineup this fall should be addressing those features. I own two models (FugeRay/Planted+) and have had decent results. But it's not just about the lights. Balancing the ferts and carbon in any setup is the key.


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[Sk3lly]

That's really what I want.

However, many botanists like the 3000K spectra for flowering plants and the 5000K spectba for vegetive growth.

Might be so but there must be a reason why these spectrums are not really used in aquariums.

Im very happy with my bml fixture

If i had my choice now though, id look into the exotic range. That new fixture out recently looks incredible with all its features. Brian_nano is the man to speak to on it though


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[lectraplayer]

If there is, I haven't seen it. All I can find is that metal halide is normally used with corals, which woulp explain the popularity of 10000K and up. I guess I must be one of the few that wantsd metal halide with plants. I hear heat is a factor, but ot near as much as is made out. Heck, fluorescets will raise tanks 5 degrees F above ambient as does this lamp.

 

[MMantelli]

Finnex LEDs are not that expensive. Not all the bells and whistles such as dimming with the current models but the new lineup this fall should be addressing those features. I own two models (FugeRay/Planted+) and have had decent results. But it's not just about the lights. Balancing the ferts and carbon in any setup is the key.


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Yes a ray 2 and monster ray combo wouls do great together you have the color sprctrum plants use plus a nice white for asthetics.

Mh are great for planted tanks If there a tall tank like 18"+ I wouls get close to a 6700k bulb If you want to stick with mh along with raising the light you should be where you want to be.

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[Sk3lly]

Yes a ray 2 and monster ray combo wouls do great together you have the color sprctrum plants use plus a nice white for asthetics.

Mh are great for planted tanks If there a tall tank like 18"+ I wouls get close to a 6700k bulb If you want to stick with mh along with raising the light you should be where you want to be.

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Cant go far wrong with 6700k for colour temperature. If going with LED look out for fixtures that offer the RGB LED's


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[MMantelli]

Ya i like the 6000-7000 range it Sucks the geissmann bulbs I use are only 6000k as i usually lean closer to 7000 looks wise

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[lectraplayer]

I like the 7000K-8000K range best for my aesthetics, but since this thread is about ferts, how can I test to see how much glut is in my water? Would it show on a CO2 test?

 

[Sk3lly]

I like the 7000K-8000K range best for my aesthetics, but since this thread is about ferts, how can I test to see how much glut is in my water? Would it show on a CO2 test?

Why would you want to test glut levels??

It breaks down after 20-24hours of being in the tank anyway. Hence why its a daily dose.

Excessively overdosing can slightly cloud the water. Milky cloud not green though


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[Brookster123]

Why would you want to test glut levels??

It breaks down after 20-24hours of being in the tank anyway. Hence why its a daily dose.

Excessively overdosing can slightly cloud the water. Milky cloud not green though


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I'm with sk3lly.. what's the point?? If you dump 10 mL of metricide into 1000ml of water your metricide level is 1% I'm wicked smaht.. no but seriously.. seems like you are focusing your attention on absolutely obscure aspects here whole avoiding the obvious/necessary steps. No offense, please, i just can't make sense of your process.

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[lectraplayer]

I'm just trying to find my carbon level (ie: see how quickly the glut is being used to determine if I have enough carbon) Not enough carbon and too many nutes often blooms algae right?
1mL glut to 1L water is 1mL/L glut now, but what about 6 hours from now? Has my plants expended it all at this point? ...in 3 hours? ...in 1 hour?

 

[Brookster123]

For a moderate plant load work up to a daily dose of .5ml/gal.. works for the rest of us

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[Sk3lly]

I'm just trying to find my carbon level (ie: see how quickly the glut is being used to determine if I have enough carbon) Not enough carbon and too many nutes often blooms algae right?
1mL glut to 1L water is 1mL/L glut now, but what about 6 hours from now? Has my plants expended it all at this point? ...in 3 hours? ...in 1 hour?

I think your overthinking it. I think your issues are light related.

On a side note i think people dose 1ml per gallon not 1ml per litre as you quoted. Not sure if you made a typo or not but if you dosed 1ml per litre your probably really overkilling it and clouding the water with overdosing


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[MMantelli]

I think your overthinking it. I think your issues are light related.

On a side note i think people dose 1ml per gallon not 1ml per litre as you quoted. Not sure if you made a typo or not but if you dosed 1ml per litre your probably really overkilling it and clouding the water with overdosing


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+1 and the pre mixed flourish and leaf zone that gets dosed fix your lights and get a proper fertilizer régimen going and you will be Fine.

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