lighting question

[heather1]

I have a 55 gallon with 2--Coralife Aqualight 48" Dual Linear Strip T5 each contain; one 28 watt 6700K T5 lamp and one 28 watt Colormax (one pink one blue). My question is if i have high lighting or moderate? I am asking to try to figure out what type of plants will grow well and not have the current algae farm i have.

 

[Brookster123]

How long you running those lights? Your prob in the high end of med light department.. Maybe way high med light..

 

[heather1]

I run my lights 8-10 hrs a day

 

[heather1]

so I could plant moderate to high light plants? or stick to moderate to low?

 

[Brookster123]

I'd cut down to 6 to curb the algae for a whole, you dose any ferts? How long has the tank/light setup been running?

 

[heather1]

I have had these lights since Christmas and the tank for 2 yrs. I use flourish complete in my tank.

 

[Brookster123]

Ok so you'll want to start dosing a liquid carbon such as excel or metricide 14 (cheaper), this will help with the algae, what your water change/tank maintainence schedule?

 

[heather1]

I also have 2 hang off the back filters 4 air stones and a sterilization pump. I also use nitra-zorb and bio-zorb in my filters.

 

[heather1]

I am not constiant with water changes but I do 10% roughly every 7-10 days.

 

[Brookster123]

I am not constiant with water changes but I do 10% roughly every 7-10 days.

that's going to be an issue, algae usually occurs when there is any kind of imbalance in the tank, depending on stocking a 10% wc is basically doing nothing in that size tank, no offense, what the stock?

 

[heather1]

none taken. I have mainly tetras about 25 or so with 6 clown loaches ;2-cory ; 4-glass cats ; 1- convict; 3-mollies; 1-bristle nose; 1 -mini pleco; 1- frog ; 1-Electric Yellow Labidochromis( i think that is what he is) ohh and worm looking dudes that i never see unless i move something.

 

[Brookster123]

Ohh boy, that's one heck if a stock! Clowns get up to 20", I'm guessing the cichlids are still small? They'll prob get crazy in that baby:/ so I know you started a lighting thread here so i will stick to that! 50% wc once a week, think about losing one colormax bulb, that much red can promote algae growth im thinking, look into a liquid carbon..

 

[heather1]

I had a snail problem and failed to realize the size the clowns grow. And the child is only suppose to get 6 inches, but yes they are babies. Ok so cut back to 6 hours of light remove my pink or blue light? do 50% water changes and add excel weekly.correct? ohh and get rid of my plants that have algae and buy moderate to low light plants. am i following this right?
As far as the fish I figure they will work themselves out right?

 

[Brookster123]

I had a snail problem and failed to realize the size the clowns grow. And the child is only suppose to get 6 inches, but yes they are babies. Ok so cut back to 6 hours of light remove my pink or blue light? do 50% water changes and add excel weekly.correct? ohh and get rid of my plants that have algae and buy moderate to low light plants. am i following this right? As far as the fish I figure they will work themselves out right?

you have the atnic light too? Just so were clear? 4 tubes total? 2 day, 1 cmax? 1 blue? Yes to light time! Heck yes to wc what kinds if plants currently? Hmmm by fish working it out? Those cichlids could murder your whole tank in a single night if the mood so strikes.. I'd re home the cichlids and the clowns, I know it sounds drastic but it's kind of a must..

 

[SgtMjr]

I would remove both cichlids as they WILL dig! The clowns cuz the will suffer... Load up on easy plants like crypts, Val, Downei, swords, and such... I am new too and found that small fish, shrimp, snail are really harmonious.

 

[heather1]

yes I have 1 blue light AND 1 pink light AND 2 white lights yes. not sure of the kind of plants but i do know they all have string algae on them. I do not have anywhere for the clown and the childs. I would have to somehow catch these fish and give them away. my other tank (40 gallon) has a tiger oscar in it. my 20 gallon has a puffer and child in it. and my 10 gallon has 5 ballon platies with one botis.

 

[SgtMjr]

My daughter started this aquarium a week ago, she uses T5s too. Its 40gallon with 4 39watt bulbs. Two 10,000k and two 6,700k.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I497 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[heather1]

wow i am trying to get a tank like all these pic just cant seem to. I will post pic of my 55.

 

[Brookster123]

yes I have 1 blue light AND 1 pink light AND 2 white lights yes. not sure of the kind of plants but i do know they all have string algae on them. I do not have anywhere for the clown and the childs. I would have to somehow catch these fish and give them away. my other tank (40 gallon) has a tiger oscar in it. my 20 gallon has a puffer and child in it. and my 10 gallon has 5 ballon platies with one botis.

it'd be best to ditch the blue and grab another daylight.for fish.. Try a freebie in craigslist? Clowns will go quick for free! It'd be for the best! With all this information I must make a point that the tiger oscar needs atleast a 55 with amazing filtration.

 

[heather1]

55 pic

this is my tank right now