Hi everyone ,
I've got hold of a PAR reader and this are the readings that I performed before setting up the tank
Our light fixture is a Aquart 4x54w T5 HO with VOSSLOH-SCHWABE electronic ballasts,
single reflector, assembled by Rui Alves in Aquaeden my LFS.
The lamps are:
2x Dennerle Trocal Amazon Day 54w T5 HO 6000k
2x Dennerle Trocal Special Plant 54w T5 HO 3000k
I've taken the readings according all i read here and at The Planted Tank articles by Hoppy
The measures are the result of the distance from the sensor to the lamps, taken just under the middle of light fixture and right at the center of my tank .
There was a difference of around 5 to 10 PAR going all around to the corners, front and back of the tank.
When the measures were taken with only 2 lamps I used the ones from the sides as in this way I had higher PAR values than with the ones in the center because of my reflector is the same for all the lamps
PAR___4x54w__2x54w
35____________82cm
40____105cm___80cm
45____________77cm_____Readings with no water in the tank
50____92cm____73cm
55____________68cm
60 ____83cm___65cm
35____________98cm
40____115cm___91cm
45____________87cm_____Readings with water in the tank
50____102,5cm__83cm
55_____________79cm
60_____93,5cm__76cm
According to Hoppy statements:
Low light - 15-30 micromols of PAR - CO2 is not needed, but is helpful to the plants
Medium light - 35-50 micromols of PAR - CO2 may be needed to avoid too many nuisance algae problems
High light - more than 50 micromols of PAR - pressurized CO2 is essential to avoid major algae problems
And Plantbrain ''Tom Barr'' stated:
20-25 are the lower limits for many species.
40-50 is optimal for most
With this I've started with a 6h light time with only 2 lamps at a time and with the lamps at 91cm from the sediment giving me 40 PAR ...
I'm planing on raising this to 8h after 21 days and to 10h after 41 days ... according to Tropica's App
I would like to have some opinions from you all, based on my values, is this a good way to go ?
Today is the eleventh day of this layout and so far so good, good growth rate and no signs of algae anywhere ...