yes i was just mentioning to a forumer about this. Plants do thrive on blue light but actually is more of the wavelenght of the blue light. WYSInWYG - what you see (humans eyes) is not what you get.

we need to look for an actual like that emits around 450nm

and

coincidentally, White LED (which i was talking about earlier) does contain blue light around that region maybe (470nm) - thus you may want to consider trying LEDS instead. I am bringing in a waterproof type flexible LED Strips with high brightness output for this purpose. whats the dimension of your tank.

umm. my tank is... 60 cm x 30 x 35. somewhere there with +/- few cms.
i was planning to get a few more plants. actually my tank is more on fish but my fishes seemed to be much more happy with plants. was wondering if i need to get a brighter light if i add in more plants.

LED > fluorescent?

depends on the plant u going to get, some plants like java or moss don't need high light

and u also need to consider, higher light = higher nutrient needed = might need co2 injection too



This post has been edited by ciohbu: Jul 17 2011, 08:29 PM

oh X_X I guess maybe I have to reconsider adding more plants or not. But those planted aquariums u guys got are so so so super nice. :'( How did you guys tie up those moss-looking things on bridges and such ah? Strings? ._. I see them floating up..

ya what ciohbu says is absolutely correct. a balanced eco system is the best solution.

forgot to mention also LED doesnt emit UV too so you wont get a bleaching effect on the corals. (as compared to Metal Halides)

Oh ok... Thanks! This is really helpful

so if i have no corals... i am not obliged to get a LED? =O

This post has been edited by OctoberFly: Jul 18 2011, 08:41 AM

haha yes not obliged, but i think it will also benefit your aquatic vegetation too.

got other benefits also la ... other considerations like

- lifespan of bulb resulting in color shift in spectrum (LED spectrum is very specific within range thats suitable for PAR)
- generated heat (and equipmet required to cool)
- Electricity costs
- for those enviromental enthusiast can talk about 'carbon footprints' too ..
-

Ok.. Now i need advice.. For the moment i'd read through pg25 only ( so many acronyns cant understand)... so now skipped till here to pose questions.

Am planning to rear my Marimo -the moss ball together with tetra in my 3ft tank. Just measured the tank..90x46x46.
So about 190.44 litre? and need 761h/litre ( filter)? Or I don't need one?

Since moss thrived in lower temperature, what plants match it well? One that "stands" ?

And i saw ppl diy fans. Using CPU fans. Just stand them on top of the tank and let them suck in the surface water heat?

What bout lighting? And when does LED comes in?

flow rate is at least 1000L/H is recommended if you are really in planted tank.

some certain moss can survive up to 29C or 30C. "One that stands" are you referring to rotala?

DIY fan is used to BLOW air to water surface. not suck

lighting is depending on your tank size (how deep) and budget

aiya i always thought fluorescent light uses the least electrical consumption. now I know I'm wrong. Then I think i'll go and change it soon. X_X I love mother earth! HAHAHA. jkjk... but yeah =/

weijie,
My purpose is a simple tetra+ marimo + several plants with rocks/ woods.
Rotala is very nice but will it be able to survive with Marimo ( 26C')
Maybe some species to help control algae?
Am not so deep into carpeting the entire tank like you guys..
My tank not deep.. only46 inch..
If not heavily towards planted tank what's the min hp i need and LED?

your tank is 26C now?!
your tank is 46 inch deep ?! or 46cm(also very deep)?

to control algea, otto or Siamese algea eater (sae) is used in planted tank.

>> what's the min hp i need and LED?
hp = ?

Paiseh, is cm.. i use the heavy duty roll measure tape. i think is cm. or less than 1.8feet.(46cm)

No, i'm saying the marimo moss ball need a 26C' so i will make my tank about 26c.. so any other plants other than java moss that can thrive in such temperature?

hp for the filter. what bout lighting?

why not ? lol...generally plant like low temp, but temp is not the only factor to grow plant

u gonna open ur air cond to do that ?or u getting a chiller? if u growing moss only.. not need la.. they can survive in tank with fans only

and also, filter usually measure with l/hr and light is watt

---

Added on July 18, 2011, 9:23 pmhehe.. nope.. LED consume less power, last longer and dissipate less heat (referring to normal LED only)

This post has been edited by ciohbu: Jul 18 2011, 09:23 PM

Moss need cold water, with aditional CO2 it grow more fast and pretty.

I'm not thinking of getting a CO2. It's a big investment for me.
I'm just trying to beautify my marimo and tetra tank with more greens, WD or Rocks.. Can't manage to do something fancy..
My fingers are not letronic and green friendly..meaning electronic like pc i can wreck also... pretty nice plant can also RIP..
So play small first.

If my tank is 46cm deep, other than moss.. those pretty greens sold by wei jie :Flame Moss, Spicky Moss, Subwassertang
are low maintenance meaning lights and fans, filter pump only or need additional CO2?

for a 3 ft. How many watt for lights. Filter is 1Kh? LED more friendly? So how to pick the right LED?

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Added on July 19, 2011, 9:35 am
IS this low tech or high tech layout?

This post has been edited by genielee_83: Jul 19 2011, 09:35 AM

Yes, it is.
Cause my tank water temperature is higher than 28 degree, & i don't have extra money to buy chiller.


Miss Genie Lee, I will suggest u just buy 1 set of t5 light system (with 2 t5 lamp) if u want to do something like me. Cause LED lighting system is not as cheap as u think even it would save ur electronic bill.


This post has been edited by Namgor2006: Jul 19 2011, 10:06 AM

Low tech but looks like my ideal tank.
That's what i'm looking for.. abit of investment and have something pretty to see each day.

Those leaft plants also need low CO2 but need high lights kan?

Those are Java Fern, they can grow even with dense light but more beautiful with light & a bit CO2.
I'm using CO 2 tablet where i put one everyday.