125 GALLON PLANTED AND LIGHT!

Blown 346

Blown 346

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Dec 7, 2008
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Rockford Illinois
I have a 125 that I am going to make into a planted tank. Its been about 15 years since I have messed with FW. I got into salt and stayed there,a nd want to try FW again.


I currently have a lighting fixture that I used for my corals and want to know if it is too much light for a planted tank.
I have 4 96 watt Power compacts. 2 bulbs are 10K daylight, and the other 2 are Actinic. The tank is 18 high. The lights are suspended 12" above the tank.

I was told that I can keep anything with this light but it will be too much. What type of plants can I start out with that are easy to care for?


Thanks.
 
You would need to replace the actinic bulbs with more FW appropriate ones.
Since your lighting is 12" above the tank you might have some trouble growing carpet plants. But its always good to start off with hygros (easy to grow), crypts, java ferns, anubias, rotalas, swords. The list goes on.

Check www.plantgeek.net Plant guide

Also know that with a planted tank alot of light is good but you would need to back it up with CO2 and ferts.
 
I have a 125 with 2, 96 watt 6700K bulbs..
I am adding 2 more. you should be able to run them seperately so I would just change them all to 6700K's and roll with it, I would leave 2 on for the most part, and have all 4 on for a protion of the day..
 
Can someone explain to me what Dry Fert is? Im pretty sure it means Fertilizer, but is it something you dose weekly,daily?

Pressurized Co2 ? Remember the whole plant thing is new to me as Im used to dealing with saltwater.

Should I use my stock lighting hood and just replace the bulbs over what I already have for lighting?

If you can brief me on why I need this due to my tank size and lighting. Thanks.
 
High light means you will need your plants to grow quickly and soak up all the nutrients and fertilizers before the algae can. An imbalance will lead to massive algae growth, especially with that lighting.

Dry ferts (fertilizers) can be found here: www.aquariumfertilizers.com also look to the Co2, fert sticky at the top.

I've never used pressurized Co2 so I'll let others comment on that.
 
Thanks, That makes sense. that doesnt seem too difficult. I'll probaly start with maybe 6 or 7 plants until I get used to everythign for a few months.

I have read that Co2 above 30ppm will help plant growth. If mine is under this I understand that the plants will be stunted as far as growth is concerned?

If I lower the light output the tank will get can I avoid Co2 injection for later on down the road. The tank will have 3 watts a gallon of light to start with.
 
ANother question. I have been surfing the site and notice what looks like a Spray bar mounted at the back of everyone's tank. Is that for water circulation?
 
just a way to make the out put of the filter even out a little not so much in one small place. what i would do if i was you is replace the 2 bulbs with 6500 or 10000k bulbs. since you want to learn the basics before you jump in head first is run 2 96w bulbs 6 hours a day then the other 2 6 hours a day for 10 total hours a day of light. this will give you a 2 hour noon type setting. you should shoot for low light plants to start. once you start to get the hang and a co2 system bump up the total hours all the lights are on at once. stick with the 10 hours of lighting but then 4 6 8 until you have 10 hours of all 4 bulbs on. if done right you can get away with out ferts but it iwll speed up your growth.

30 ppm is a target so the plants can have all the carbon needed at all times. plants are not stunted just wont grow as fast. co2 really speeds up the growth but with the co2 comes the stronger need for ferts. look up some of my photos i have my 125 planted but with 2x96 and 2x55w.

the more plants you start out with the less chance of algae.
 
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