Daven
Aquarium Advice Freak
Hey guys, i have done research but i dont want to get too crazy into the maintenance of a heavily planted tank with CO2 and the works. So here is an intro to my tank. Ive never had real plants before. Tank is a 20 gallon long 30x12x12", and i am trying to set it up specifically for a group of 8-10 panda corries. Will have a AC50 and an AC20 for filtration. Keeping temps lower to what the corries will like. Remaining fish will be as many different colours/designs of male guppies as i can find and fit. Substrate will be pool filter sand with whatever depth you guys would recomend. Ive heard sand isnt good for plants since its harder for roots to work through, but also seen a few recommending pool filter sand for some reason and i beleive it has to do with the larger grain size over play sand/etc? It is my preferred substrate and i know corries will like it. So here are my questions!
Currently there is the stock hood with a 24" light housing that currently has a t12 bulb, but i looked at the ballast and it says it can use t8 bulbs as well so thats what ill be using. I know 6500k is optimal for plants, and i dont have much to spare with my current lighting. Would i be able to use a powerglow 18000k bulb instead and still have some plants? I find the 6700k bulb my girlfriends 29 gallon has really washes out the fish colours over her ancient 18000k aquaglow we just changed out. Although the fake plants and decor in general do look more natural :/ But considering im trying to the best colors i can from the guppies, idk what to do :/ Those LED hoods from marineland and etc arent great still, right?
Currently there is the stock hood with a 24" light housing that currently has a t12 bulb, but i looked at the ballast and it says it can use t8 bulbs as well so thats what ill be using. I know 6500k is optimal for plants, and i dont have much to spare with my current lighting. Would i be able to use a powerglow 18000k bulb instead and still have some plants? I find the 6700k bulb my girlfriends 29 gallon has really washes out the fish colours over her ancient 18000k aquaglow we just changed out. Although the fake plants and decor in general do look more natural :/ But considering im trying to the best colors i can from the guppies, idk what to do :/ Those LED hoods from marineland and etc arent great still, right?