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rotala rotundifolia

Discussion in 'Aquatic Plants & Planted Tanks' started by kwheeler91, Aug 13, 2009.

  1. kwheeler91

    kwheeler91 Thread Starter New Member

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    will i be able to achieve the redness or at least some of it of rotala rotundifolia with 108 watts of t5 ho 6700k over a 55gal? i use diy co2 and root tabs but soon will have better substrate combined with flourish tabs. basically i want to know if i have enough light to turn at least the upper portion of the plant red.
     
    kwheeler91, Aug 13, 2009
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  2. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    Honestly, I wouldn't think so being it's a high light plant and you have just under 2wpg.

    If your really set on it...try a single bunch and see how they do before Highly planting with them ;)
     
    MOD_Dawn, Aug 13, 2009
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  3. James0816

    James0816 New Member

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    You should be fine being that you have T5HO bulbs. You may need to add additional Iron to your dosing as you are only using root tabs. I would look to add a more inclusive fert dosing however.
     
    James0816, Aug 14, 2009
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  4. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    i still say I'd only get a bunch and see how they do before spending alot of money on plants and ferts..the bulb changeover will be costly too!
    My lfs is getting $28.00 a bulb for their t5's.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Aug 14, 2009
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  5. kwheeler91

    kwheeler91 Thread Starter New Member

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    ok thank you
     
    kwheeler91, Aug 15, 2009
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  6. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    your welcome!
    ~Good luck :)
     
    MOD_Dawn, Aug 15, 2009
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  7. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Whether they are T5's or just normal Florescent bulbs shouldn't make a difference. The WPG still comes out to under 2 as Dawn stated.
     
    Anthony, Aug 16, 2009
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  8. kwheeler91

    kwheeler91 Thread Starter New Member

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    well its a hagen glo that has a really nice reflector and they are supposed to put off more light than a normal set up because of the design or somethin like that... idk what im talking about really im no expert and have only recently gotten into plants, but the are supposed to be better at getting all the light to the plants.
     
    kwheeler91, Aug 16, 2009
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  9. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    reflectors do help, but still not enough wpg if you ask me.
    But go ahead and give it a whirl, you may get lucky.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Aug 16, 2009
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  10. kwheeler91

    kwheeler91 Thread Starter New Member

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    ill see how my ludwigia repens does with the redness and then go from there. i can always put my 15 watts back on too right over the plants to give it a little extra boost because i only want a nice bunch on one side of the tank. if it all flops in my face i guess ill have to save more money for more light :)
     
    kwheeler91, Aug 16, 2009
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  11. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    keep me posted on how it goes!
     
    MOD_Dawn, Aug 16, 2009
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  12. James0816

    James0816 New Member

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    ouch...sounds like it's time to go to Lowe's or HD.

    Keep in mind here with the HOs...the lumen factor comes in to play. If I'm not mistaken (might be) but I believe the 54w HO bulbs come in the ball park of 5k lumens. A dual bulb setup will put 10k lumens. You'll have a better spectrum.
     
    James0816, Aug 17, 2009
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  13. kwheeler91

    kwheeler91 Thread Starter New Member

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    they are the life glo bulbs 6700k. so is 10k lumens good for a 55? i wam trying to find a 5000-5500k bulb as well to hit both ends of the spectrum.
     
    kwheeler91, Aug 17, 2009
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  14. James0816

    James0816 New Member

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    Stay with 67k. Don't go any lower.
     
    James0816, Aug 17, 2009
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  15. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    my local hardware stores don't carry the size/wattage I need.

    I'm using Giesemann bulbs from here--> <a class="postlink" href="http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Bulbs/54_Watt/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Flu ... s/54_Watt/</a>
     
    MOD_Dawn, Aug 17, 2009
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