Plants and Lighting??

[mikeyd]

hey im wondering whats the best single light i can use to maximize plant growth in my viv.

i have a 75g with 2 dart frogs and lottts of plants and moss


but id like to see the plants and moss actually grow.

my fixture is the standard all-glass 4ft single bulb fixture.

and ive been using a lifeglo2 6700k t10 bulb.

is this good enough?

the top covers are made of acrylic not glass.

and all plants and moss are within a foot of the top.

i made false bottom trays wrapped in mesh to contain the soil
and have 2 water features on either side.

my substrate is in layers:

from bottom up, first is hydroballs,then pea gravel, then pete/spag moss , then a mix of tropical potting soil and coco fiber soil.

the ground:
layers of multiple types of live moss, dead leaves, cork bark peices.
(getting orchid mix this weekend to add in)

plants:

only 1 small brom (getting 3 more this weekend at the expo)
-many types of pothos, including 2 rare fuzzy leafed ones.
-schefferela
-dracena dragon plant
-many types of tropical ferns
-watermelon pepperomia,and some pink and white variations also.
-waterbamboos
-water lettuce, java ferns and money worts in the front water section.
-asian pitcher plant-2
-cobra plant
-air plants



if anyone wants to see my set up just reply and i will post a few pictures.

[beckdg]

i think you certainly could use more than one lifeglow t10 bulb. my first thought is at the very minimum 2 - 4' t5 normal output bulbs with good reflectors or 1 t5ho bulb same deal.

yes, i'd love to see your setup including the light fixture.

[JoeG]

pics or it does not exist!

Like Beck said...more than one for sure.
I use 4 4' T8 5k's for mine for the past 2 months and get good growth. My Neo broms are turning red (but still have green) and 1 is pupping. I am sure I can improve that...but I get very good results thus far.

[mikeyd]

ok so i might be able to get another single tube fixture.
so then i can use another bulb. in that case which is best combo?

but im not able to buy a 2x tube new fixture right now. too expensive.

what is the difference between the t5 and the t10? if the kelvin rate is the same and watt is the same....

i thought it is only size difference.



this is a month old, but il geta new pic soon.


so the 6700k t10 , will it let plants grow ? or not at all..?

if i use 2 bulbs which is best combo for the height ?

and does the thickness of acrylic make any difference?

[Saviorself]

If you are looking to save a bit of money on a fixture I highly recommend fish need it;lights; food;Sponge hes got a t5ho fixture 4ft with 2 bulbs for under 100 bucks. I have bought both my 6ft t5ho light and my 2ft t5ho light from him and have been very happy with both. I use geissman bulbs in the 6ft which was for my 125 gallon planted aquarium which I have tore down recently and am converting it to a vivarium. The 2ft I kept the bulbs that came with the fixture 1 6500k bulb and 1 red grow bulb and those are above my riparium. Which has plants growing on top of the water surface peace lilies and sword plants and such. Sorry if that was a little more info than you were looking for.

[frogfreak]

T5's are more energy efficient than T8's or T10's.

T5 = 5/8" in diameter

T8 = 1" in diameter

T10 = 1 1/8" in diameter

It doesn't have anything to do with the kelvin rating at all. Just the size and efficiency is all.

Your plants will grow with one light buy may become leggy looking reaching for the light.

If you're on a budget and don't have any colourfull broms you could probably get away with another single light.

We have some nice broms and orchids in our tanks so we use 2 T5 HO and it does them well.

Nice tank btw.

[mikeyd]

thanks for the info guys.

i think i will just gow with what i have for now.

and either another single strip light with a red grow bulb or if i find a good deal on a double strip then i will do the upgrade.

but as i am now, i guess the only plants that could use more lighting are the water plants infront .

im wondering if i get thinner plexi for top covers will more light penetrate?

or will they just warp easier.


after the expo this weekend i will have some upgrades and new pics of the tank, possibly some more inhabitants aswell

[frogfreak]

Ummm...the mississauga expo by chance?

Where are you located?

[mikeyd]

i live north markham GTA area... jus south of stoufville.

yea the saga one at airport road is where im goin, i think saturday.

[frogfreak]

Cool

I'm going saturday as well. What kind of drats do you have?

Glenn