Tom Raffield
Member
So my newly planted Juwel Vision 260 is up and running (see Journal Thread: Tank Reborn).
I am aiming for a low maintenance, low tech and easy to look after setup hence the degree of 'easy' plants. I used Tropica Aquarium Soil and have micro and macro ferts from Aquarium Plantfood UK. I am yet to dose these but might put a small dose every few days in the initial stages; I want to avoid EI dosing and the huge water changes that accompany this method of dosing. Eventually I want to use the Duckweed Index to help me to know when to dose but am yet to fully read up on this. I am also running a small amount of CO2 to get the plants established, I have a pressurised setup from my previous tank, before reducing down to a very low level of CO2 injection.
What I have now been considering is the photoperiod for the plants. I am aiming for 6 hours at the moment and will extend to hopefully 8 or so hours when the tank is established. My tendency in the past has been to run the photoperiod in the afternoon and evening so that I can enjoy watching the tank when I am home from work. However, the tank is in a very naturally well lit room. There is no direct light on the tank but we have huge windows at one end of the room and then a wall of glass at the other so the room is filled with natural light all day. Should I be running the photoperiod at a more 'normal' time of day for the plants? Say 10am to 4pm? But if I do this what can I do about evening lighting as I don't want to over light the tank and risk algae.
How do you guys juggle the 'plant needs' versus your 'viewing needs'?
For reference, I have the Juwel light unit with two brand new Arcadia Tropical 54W T5s. Would this be considered low or medium light in my tank?
I am aiming for a low maintenance, low tech and easy to look after setup hence the degree of 'easy' plants. I used Tropica Aquarium Soil and have micro and macro ferts from Aquarium Plantfood UK. I am yet to dose these but might put a small dose every few days in the initial stages; I want to avoid EI dosing and the huge water changes that accompany this method of dosing. Eventually I want to use the Duckweed Index to help me to know when to dose but am yet to fully read up on this. I am also running a small amount of CO2 to get the plants established, I have a pressurised setup from my previous tank, before reducing down to a very low level of CO2 injection.
What I have now been considering is the photoperiod for the plants. I am aiming for 6 hours at the moment and will extend to hopefully 8 or so hours when the tank is established. My tendency in the past has been to run the photoperiod in the afternoon and evening so that I can enjoy watching the tank when I am home from work. However, the tank is in a very naturally well lit room. There is no direct light on the tank but we have huge windows at one end of the room and then a wall of glass at the other so the room is filled with natural light all day. Should I be running the photoperiod at a more 'normal' time of day for the plants? Say 10am to 4pm? But if I do this what can I do about evening lighting as I don't want to over light the tank and risk algae.
How do you guys juggle the 'plant needs' versus your 'viewing needs'?
For reference, I have the Juwel light unit with two brand new Arcadia Tropical 54W T5s. Would this be considered low or medium light in my tank?