As per subject joining P&H mania. I was trying to make something unusual so hope you guys like it. Tastes are always different but I enjoy it. I was watching 1 week bare scape and never got unpleasant for me so I decided to keep it.
It is not yet finished and I plan something different for the background like pogostmon erectus when I move Co2 from other tank. There is also sort of stringy moss growing 2cm long so takes while to show. Not sure of Fern maybe I keep it maybe not. When it gets too big it may go out.
For the foreground I will plant some HC around the rock and minirose moss (big pad) fissidens (small pad)
So far this is 2 weeks old and maturing for CRS shrimps.
Only 2 things are different:
1. Eden 501 nano filter for shimp sake and safety with steel mesh strainer on inlet pipe
2. DIY LED as standard 11W is too weak. 4x CREE XP-G LED running on 700mA. Build cost around 30,-.
Reusing some parts from China made 11W clamp light for 8,-. Full PAR readings below.
bare scape

scape 2 weeks old

DIY LED

PAR readings of popular P@H cube 11W light and my DIY light fixture to compare.
Quite crappy light now I am using it on Clear seal 14L nano, where it is pretty OK. 11W Par 18

500mA Driver setup PAR 48 - roughly 6W

700mA Driver setup PAR 65 rougly 8W

could go to 1500mA (16W) where PAR readings could be easily doubled but I think it is not necessary. also thinking of another 4000 Kelvin LED for different coloration but not sure yet.
It is not yet finished and I plan something different for the background like pogostmon erectus when I move Co2 from other tank. There is also sort of stringy moss growing 2cm long so takes while to show. Not sure of Fern maybe I keep it maybe not. When it gets too big it may go out.
For the foreground I will plant some HC around the rock and minirose moss (big pad) fissidens (small pad)
So far this is 2 weeks old and maturing for CRS shrimps.
Only 2 things are different:
1. Eden 501 nano filter for shimp sake and safety with steel mesh strainer on inlet pipe
2. DIY LED as standard 11W is too weak. 4x CREE XP-G LED running on 700mA. Build cost around 30,-.
Reusing some parts from China made 11W clamp light for 8,-. Full PAR readings below.
bare scape

scape 2 weeks old

DIY LED

PAR readings of popular P@H cube 11W light and my DIY light fixture to compare.
Quite crappy light now I am using it on Clear seal 14L nano, where it is pretty OK. 11W Par 18

500mA Driver setup PAR 48 - roughly 6W

700mA Driver setup PAR 65 rougly 8W

could go to 1500mA (16W) where PAR readings could be easily doubled but I think it is not necessary. also thinking of another 4000 Kelvin LED for different coloration but not sure yet.