new tank

[mambobo]

Hi currently about to set up a new 4x1.5x2 planted tank..

some question to ask... 1)is it necessary to put base fertiliser??or just need weekly fertiliser
2)is 6x36pl lights enough i calculated about 2.5watts/gallon or do i need 8x36pl

please reply thanks...also those staying in east got plants to spare for my new tank??

[pipsqueak]

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On 5/15/2003 9:13:45 PM

Hi currently about to set up a new 4x1.5x2 planted tank..

some question to ask... 1)is it necessary to put base fertiliser??or just need weekly fertiliser
generally, yes, base fert is needed. weekly fert is also necessary.
2)is 6x36pl lights enough i calculated about 2.5watts/gallon or do i need 8x36pl
depends on the range of plants you would wanna grow. 3w/gallon would allow you to grow most, if not all plants.

please reply thanks...also those staying in east got plants to spare for my new tank??
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[David]

for the lighting issue, have you bought your lights? 2.5 total wattage for a 2 feet deep tank my not be enough unless you intend to have low-light plants all the way.

Consider using 2x150watts MH lights....maintenence will be cheaper in terms of bulb replacement.

[mambobo]

yes the lights have been bought too bad liao ..maybe now i can only add one more 2x36pl to add

[David]

have you thrown away the box and have you used it....try talking to the shop first to see if they can exchange for MH lights?

[mambobo]

i bought at nature ...chan told me to change to osram bulb 8000k instead of 6500k...he told me so far no problem .... one of my friend who have a 2ftheight tank also using PL so far all his glosso is ok... thanks for ur advise anyway i think wat i can do now is to trial n error

[David]

PL light is okay ....just that for the amount of wattage that you need, running a MH is more cost efficient when it comes to cost of bulbs. However there are trade-offs involving MH like the extreme heat produced and hard shadow casting.

Stick to what you have...it is fine...MH is just another light source but its no magic light.

[mambobo]

thanks for ur help appreciated....will add another pl to make it 4x36 sold to make it abt 3.2watts/gallon

[DEA]

mai kan cheong lah...
try it out first
you might like the results
if not end up like me, buy a lot of PL, FL, in the end trade/sell to get MH etc
anyway, don't be too quick to buy extra stuff
just grow the plants and see how they go

[mambobo]

thanks again ....er any plant to spare???(hahaha)anyway might be paying teo a visit soon