Good T5 lamp to grow chaeto?

[DamonG]

Interesting that your still getting no growth.. Is the other stuff under control?

I'm honestly not sure why it wouldn't grow, as I am using, and have been using gfo. Hmmnnn.. Unless it's not enough, but from those 2 125 watt bulbs, you should be growing.. And the pictures you sent, they are close to the water correct if i remember? If not, because it's florescent, the light energy fades fast.. But you still should be growing by now..

Very interesting though.. Keep updating..

 

[kinerson]

The algae seems to be mostly under control now. I am still getting little bits of growth scattered in places but currently it isn't bad.

Those lights are right on top of the water. I guess I shouldn't say it's not growing. I think it is. But I remember getting LOTS of growth when I did this years ago. It will fill it like a block. It's slow growing this time.

Interesting to hear you are using gfo. Hmm.

 

[DamonG]

The algae seems to be mostly under control now. I am still getting little bits of growth scattered in places but currently it isn't bad.

Those lights are right on top of the water. I guess I shouldn't say it's not growing. I think it is. But I remember getting LOTS of growth when I did this years ago. It will fill it like a block. It's slow growing this time.

Interesting to hear you are using gfo. Hmm.

That's good to hear that it slowed down..

And yes, mine is like a block, it gets that way quickly. Always had to be honest.

And yep, I have used gfo on both the systems that i employed that technique. The fat growth, has, just like the other system, dropped the phos level (from. 06 to . 02) from when i was using gfo alone. Then, of course my DT small amount of algea has died off.. And the corraline is starting up again.. It takes a little time of course..

The only other thing i can possibly think of is that I have that light on in the sump from 9:30pm to 4 pm (whenever my display light isn't on). I just turned it to 2pm when the display light comes on (reset the duration when i got the new fixture).

A lot of people like to run them 24/7,but i have always had diminishing returns if I don't give the plants (whether in an aquarium or in a hydro system) a chance to rest a few hours. I want to say i read years ago it was something about the rapid growth during daylight hours, but i can't remember.

But i do remember that the plants running over 18 hours on, would do ok for a bit, and then all of a sudden slow down and start looking droopy(with tomatoes, peppers and eggplant for example that i was growing at the time). Give them two days of rest, and they were back to normal growing. So i just ran the tank the same way..

 

[kinerson]

These have been under 24 hour a day lighting. Maybe I should cut them back to 18. Good tip!! Easier on the electric bill too

 

[DamonG]

These have been under 24 hour a day lighting. Maybe I should cut them back to 18. Good tip!! Easier on the electric bill too

That's my philosophy at least.. And definately cheaper on the bills. "technically", you really only need 16 hours for good, solid (growth versus production goal) growth.

But I've always had best growth and when growing plants by giving things a break and store up some energy for the next day.. That is matter what I'm growing..

 

[kinerson]

It makes sense. I think years ago I ran them 24/7 though. But I can't remember what eventually was the outcome of that. I suppose every system and every type of plant changes up the rules some.

 

[DamonG]

Well yeah to be honest. The one thing i learned that stuck with me from my horticultural days, was to be very specific..

Being specific with the species insures maximum yields. But the problem with aquarium /saltwater animals, is there is not a ton of specifics about anything. For example, with what were are trying to achieve.. What are the numbers of hours they are exposed to, the pH or even salinity in its native geographic location. That's only 2 things,but there is so much more..

Every plant and every system is different like you said, so you really have to tailor to your system and animal needs.

But i would bank the lights down to 16 hours, save a few electrons.. Lol.. Then, i would do comparison, since you have 2 different bulb spectrums, which grows better and faster.. I mean, i would play with and experiment with it to get it to what you want and need..

 

[kinerson]

I like your logic!

 

[DamonG]

i like your logic!