Begineer

[partha_nag]

I'm Partha from Kolkata, Here is my first planted tank (1 month). The tank Config is given below.

TANK CONFIG

L-30"
W-15"
H-24"
Sera As Base,ADA Amazonia as Top.
4 CFL of 23 Watt.(6500K) each
1 PLL of 38 Watt.(6500K)
External Top Filter
DIY CO2

PLANTS
Crypt Sp. Cabomba Caroliniana, Indian water lily,Aponogeton,Hygrophila Difformis,Bacopa monnieri,Alternanthera, Dwarf hairgrass

I need some Advce from you.
1. Is Pressuresed CO2 is essential in this setup?
2. Is the Light Watt. Is Ok for the Tank?
3. I have plan to Dose DIY Fert. KNO3, K2so4, K2phso4 as macro and ADA B-Green As Micro - is it Okay?
4. The Dwarf Grass Are not growing properly
5. Facing Some brown algae proble.

Hope you will red this mail, waiting for your valuable advice.
Thanking you
regards
Partha Nag
Kolkata

[aamir]

Hi partha please upload some pics of your aquarium so that we can help you properly.
by the way are you using sera flore depo as base.

[SCORPIO]

Q. 1. Is Pressuresed CO2 is essential in this setup?
Ans: Pressurized CO2 is always helpful and beneficial for the proper growth of plants. Without any source of carbon it is not possible to grow aquatic plants. Your tank having the height of 24 inch so you should not pressurized CO2 setup. DIY will not work. You can also choose liquid source of CO2.

Q. 2. Is the Light Watt. Is Ok for the Tank?
Ans: You have approx 130 watt of light but it is not sufficient in 2 footer height tank. You have to increase light to grow plants.

Q. 3. I have plan to Dose DIY Fert. KNO3, K2so4, K2phso4 as macro and ADA B-Green As Micro - is it Okay?
Ans: Both are good. Choose any of both according to your pocket.

Q. 4. The Dwarf Grass Are not growing properly.
Ans: You have to either increase light or decrease height of tank otherwise you will not able to grow hair grass. You can grow another foreground plants such as saggitaria subulata, chain sword, anubias petite, crypt parva in this light.

Q. 5. Facing Some brown algae proble.
Ans: It is due to new tank. After proper cycling, it will disappear automatically.

[partha_nag]

Thanks for the detail reply...
Light: How much watt. I have to increase? if the general rule is 2W. per G. than a 45 G(My tank) need 90+ W. Now there is 130 W installed..
Fert. : I have those salt (N, P, K), and B-Green
Water Change: I introduce ADA a month back... So first week i made 80% Change everyday. Then 50% every alternate day.. Now 50% every week.
do u think the process is fine?

[parthapratim22]

Thanks for the detail reply...
Light: How much watt. I have to increase? if the general rule is 2W. per G. than a 45 G(My tank) need 90+ W. Now there is 130 W installed..

Hi Partha,

a notable issue that I learned is WPG is not everything for bigger tanks...you need to have a lighting system that has good penetration ability like MH or LED...and here you have experts on these lightings who can guide you best...I am not so

[maaz]

Now that info is helpful for you...thanks for sharing this will help everyone here..

[SCORPIO]

Thanks for the detail reply...
Light: How much watt. I have to increase? if the general rule is 2W. per G. than a 45 G(My tank) need 90+ W. Now there is 130 W installed..
Fert. : I have those salt (N, P, K), and B-Green
Water Change: I introduce ADA a month back... So first week i made 80% Change everyday. Then 50% every alternate day.. Now 50% every week.
do u think the process is fine?

In 2 footer height tanks, most of the aquarists using Metal helide lights. You need light that can be reach up to the bottom of the tank. You can also try T5 HO.
Your water changing process is ok. Have you introduced any fish in the tank?

[partha_nag]

Thanks for the reply S, regarding light , i have XL application software , which can calculate Ligtt intencity , Lumen etc.
I put those data regarding my tank config into that and get the following result.
Total Lumen Installed-8700
Light intencity inthe middle of the tank: 13.5 LSI
Light intencity inthe bottom of the tank: 11.3 LSI
Overall Light: Well Lit.
I dont know whether those figure are Ok or not.
Metal Hal. will generate extensive hit. U know here in kolkata Summer temp. will be 40 c.
the I have to install Chiller . (which is too costly).
So , what will be low cost solution in this setup. Should I replace those 4 CFL and install 4 PLL of 38 watt?
Pl. reply

[partha_nag]

Now there are 4 serpe Tetra and 2 RAM

[partha_nag]

I'm not able to upload my tank's phot.. any help?