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  1. #1
    Hi, I'm New Here!
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
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    13

    Marine Lights on a Planted Discus tank

    Hi

    I have heard that I should add a marine light to my Discus tank to really show of the colours

    I am using 3 Flors on 36 18 18 tank, would you consider this enough light to grow plants well

    Thanks for a great forum, excellent

  2. #2
    San Merah Discus
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Sydney
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    1,775
    It really depends on you wether you want to add or not.

    I think the setup u have is enough.

    Is your tank planted ?

    Good quality food and regular water changes also enhance discus colour.

  3. #3
    Wrigglers
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    216
    G'day spock.
    adding a anctic (blue marine) light can brighten up your discus colour.
    but you might also need to consider your plants.
    i know im getting a little side track here but please bare with me.

    you are adding 3 fluros
    may i ask how many watts are those fluros and what colour spectrum are they?

    plants need a spectrum of around 6500 kelvin to simulate sunlight. but 10000k can also work. the higher the kelvin the brighter the light is. e.g 4000k looks yellow while 15000kelvin looks blueish

    the amount of watts determines the light penetration into water and thus determines the rate of photosynthesis. it needs to match the amount of fertilizers in your water. If this balance is wrong, it will most likely result in a algea bloom of some kind.

    in your tank you have approx 45gal.
    you will need about 2.5watts per gallon as a basis.
    each standard fluro is about 36watts i think.
    so 3 of them is an excellent choice.

    just make sure you have atleast 1 6500kelvin fluro in your mix.

    cheers,
    Eric

  4. #4
    Moderator
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Mulgrave, Melbourne
    Posts
    2,047
    When i first read that i though you going to put metal halides on the tank.


    Ya discus would be wearing sunglasses

    Scott AKA - Flukes

  5. #5
    Medium Discus
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    perth
    Posts
    520

    Re: Marine Lights on a Planted Discus tank

    Quote Originally Posted by spock
    Hi
    I have heard that I should add a marine light to my Discus tank to really show of the colours
    This might be the case but it will do nothing for your plants,Unless you like a blue looking tank.

    I am using 3 Flors on 36 18 18 tank, would you consider this enough light to grow plants well
    What do you mean grow plant's well?
    You can grow plants with the amount of light you have but limited in choice of plant's,IMO you need aleast 4-5 globe's +CO2 then you can grow plant's well.
    Do you want to add CO2?
    If i recall correctly 3 ft globe are 30 watt each.

  6. #6
    Hi, I'm New Here!
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Posts
    13
    Thankd for all the comments, I have been away, thus the slow reply

    I am now running '

    1 10000k
    1 6500 k plant light sylvina
    1 ?K plant light, - it is High level of red and Blue, The brand is General, i got it in aAia

    I am now running CO2 from a cylinder, no solindoid

    I am using kitty litter and sand as the base. The kitty litter is something like an Allgripate, I will get the correct name.

    Nothing much us happening in terms of growth, I am concerned the kitty litter was a bad idea.

    The Nirate level is Zero and the Discus are looking happy.

  7. #7
    Medium Discus
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    perth
    Posts
    520
    Quote Originally Posted by spock
    The Nirate level is Zero.
    This is your main problem.
    If i said you need to increase your Nitrate's would you?

  8. #8
    Hi, I'm New Here!
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
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    13
    Duck

    Yes I woulkd increae the nitrate if you suggest it , I assume by adding an N fertizler

  9. #9
    Medium Discus
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    perth
    Posts
    520
    Increase the Nitrate to atleast 10ppm to start with,N yes what alot of people use is KNO3 potassium Nitrate.
    How many fish have you got? you might have enough not to add any.

  10. #10
    Hi, I'm New Here!
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Posts
    13
    Duck

    Added the N last night as you recommended

    It is a Std three foot tank with 5 Discus about half grown

    I guess I will sit back and wait now to see what happens

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