Bbush
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Will I need co2 if I get an Amazon Sun 150 watt LED for my 56 gallon column tank? It is 2 ft. tall BYW.
Kessil LED?
- Thread starter Bbush
- Start date
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, sorry
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Bbush
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Oh! I thought it was putting out the equivilant of 150 watts but only pulling 30 watts. That does change things.
I'd say it is close but different since it is led. I'd think it'd be good for plants but I've never used the fw version.
dcutl002
Aquarium Advice Addict
Yes! I have one Kessil A150W Amazon Sun on a 35 Gallon hex tank. It started growing algae within a week! So, I infuse CO2. It is the BEST light that I have. Kessil makes a A360 Tuna Sun that can be adjusted to 6500K if you have the money. Anyway.....yes, infuse with CO2.
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Bbush
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Dang! How much will that set me back?
dcutl002
Aquarium Advice Addict
The A150W is $225. The A360W is about $400 on Amazon. You are probably gonna want the gooseneck also. I would like to add that the Kessil really penetrates the water. Also, it is NOT about wattage...it is about PAR. The WPG theory is dead! LED Lighting Compendium
dcutl002
Aquarium Advice Addict
Here is another good read: Lighting an Aquarium with PAR instead of Watts
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Bbush
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Ok that was way over my head... But thanks. So what I'm gathering from that is that because the Amazon Sun is rated 34 PAR @ 2 feet, then I don't have to have co2? ... Fingers crossed.
dcutl002
Aquarium Advice Addict
Well, if you have tall plants like myself you will need CO2. It makes my plants pearl and that is all that I can ask from a light. I originally looked into a Metal Halide fixture (175W Hamilton), but they use a lot of electricity and get very hot. Then I found the Kessil. I also bought the gooseneck. It is perfect for a clumsy Hex tank.
You could try some low light plants (crypts) at the bottom and see how it goes.
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f24/35-gallon-hex-310693.html
You could try some low light plants (crypts) at the bottom and see how it goes.
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f24/35-gallon-hex-310693.html
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Bbush
Aquarium Advice FINatic
How much will co2 system run me?
dcutl002
Aquarium Advice Addict
It varies. But they do cost. I bought my unit from GLA, but I hear Aquatek and Milwaukee are good value regulators. Check Amazon and fleabay. Make sure that you purchase CO2 tubing, bubble counter, and some type of diffuser. I have an inline Atomic diffuser. Red Sea makes a diffuser/reactor that works OK. I purchase 20 pound CO2 bottles: they are a better value plus they last longer.
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schoeplein
Aquarium Advice Addict
You don't have to buy a co2 setup. You could always dose with Seachem Excel at 1mL/g/day, or Metricide at 0.5mL/g/day. This supplies the carbon the plants need. I have more than double the par of that LED strip and my plants grow like crazy dosing with just liquid carbon.
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dcutl002
Aquarium Advice Addict
True. You can use Excel. But, lets examine the PAR values of the Kessil A150W following the purple line on the graph:
Kessil A150W Amazon Sun
PAR Data(Source 1, Source 2) PAR vs. Distance from source
56 PAR @ 18"
42 PAR @ 21"
34 PAR @ 24"
if the tank is 24" deep, add about 2-3 inches of substrate then allow say 4" for the plant height. 24-2-4=18". now you are at 56 PAR...medium light.
If your plants increase in growth like mine do, the PAR increases.
Once the plants reach 5" in height: 24"-2"-5"=17". According to the charts you are entering the High Light Stage. The plants in my tank are tall (my posted picture is about 6 months old). Anyways, I would recommend a CO2 system in the future.
Kessil A150W Amazon Sun
PAR Data(Source 1, Source 2) PAR vs. Distance from source
56 PAR @ 18"
42 PAR @ 21"
34 PAR @ 24"
if the tank is 24" deep, add about 2-3 inches of substrate then allow say 4" for the plant height. 24-2-4=18". now you are at 56 PAR...medium light.
If your plants increase in growth like mine do, the PAR increases.
Once the plants reach 5" in height: 24"-2"-5"=17". According to the charts you are entering the High Light Stage. The plants in my tank are tall (my posted picture is about 6 months old). Anyways, I would recommend a CO2 system in the future.
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Bbush
Aquarium Advice FINatic
I love this community! You guys are awesome. Sorry, yes I've been dosing Flourish with weekly water changes & API co2 booster daily. I have tons of surface agitation. I heard that was bad if you are dosing co2, but good if you aren't. Is agitation bad for liquids?
dcutl002
Aquarium Advice Addict
No, since it is an organic carbon chain, surface agitation will not interfere with Flourish Excel.
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Bbush
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Is excel better than API co2 booster & flourish comprehensive?
Fresh2o
Aquarium Advice Addict
I'd say Excel is probably equivalent to CO2 Booster. As mentioned previously, Metricide is a more cost effective alternative for Excel/CO2 Booster. Flourish Comprehensive, on the other hand, is not a carbon source. It is a fertilizer that supplies primarily micro nutrients.
