Advertisements
Aquatic Avenue Banner Tropica Shop Banner Fishy Business Banner
Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Does it matter plant tube or normal white PL tube?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Posts
    74
    Feedback Score
    0
    Country
    Singapore

    Does it matter plant tube or normal white PL tube?

    Advertisements
    Fresh n Marine aQuarium Banner

    Advertise here

    Advertise here
    I have a 3ft planted tank that has been growing for the past 3 years. Before I setup the tank I placed a layer of river soil underneath 3 inches of gravel. I don't dose with nutrients, opting to let the plants take it up from the soil. I have a CO2 setup with a CO2 re-actor to ensure good dissolution of the CO2 into the water. I have 2 PL light of 36 watts each. pH is 6-6.5, Nitrate is 40ppm, Nitrite is zero.

    I would like to see my plants bubble but they don't do so that often. I have never seen them bubble like crazy. Is it the light? Does it make a difference to use plant tubes?

    Or is it that I need to dose with minerals. I am loathe to do that as it encourages algae growth. Can I dose with just Potassium since Nitrogen can be absorbed from the nitrate?

    Thanks.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Telok Blangah, SGP
    Posts
    10,216
    Feedback Score
    3 (100%)
    Images
    78
    Country
    Singapore
    I would say it is the light, 72W for 3ft is on the low side, though CO2 and fert also play a part. Some people use 72W for 2ft tank depending on the plant, I'm one of them

    Fertilizer does not encourage algae grow. Your tank is low tech so you can go away without fertelizer but once you increase the light, you should start dossing them. THe nutrient in the soils does not last forever

    In my opinion as long as your plant grow well, bubble or no bubble doesn't matter.
    -Robert
    Aquascaping is a marriage between Art and Farming
    My Blog: http://aquatic-art.blogspot.com/

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Posts
    74
    Feedback Score
    0
    Country
    Singapore
    Thanks. Does plant tube matter versus using normal PL white light?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Telok Blangah, SGP
    Posts
    10,216
    Feedback Score
    3 (100%)
    Images
    78
    Country
    Singapore
    Never try plant tube, I always using standart normal Orsram/Philip 6500K PL light. All the plant grow nicely no issue. Plant tube may increase certain light spectrum which may improve the plant grow but in my opinion not a must.
    -Robert
    Aquascaping is a marriage between Art and Farming
    My Blog: http://aquatic-art.blogspot.com/

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    262
    Feedback Score
    0
    Country
    Singapore
    I just replaced my 2 x 18W Fl lights with Arcadia Original Tropical lights, and together with my 4 x 39 W T5HO, the plants did started bubbling. Maybe it does improve the growth a little bit. But most importantly, the pinkish hue does give my red plants and neon tetras a better look.

    I am looking to replce 2 of my 4 T5 lights with Arcadia Plant Pro and see if it makes more difference, but haviing enjoyed the improvement over the colors of the plants and Tetras, I am pretty sold to the idea of pinkish tubes.

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •