How strong should i have my light?

[Dan1984]

NICREW Planted LED Aquarium Light, 24/7 Automated Aquarium Lighting, LED Fish Tank Light with Controller,Upgraded Version, 60cm https://amzn.eu/d/ixt6zmU

I'm currently using this light (the 120cm version on a 240l tank that is around 50cm deep, I haven't started planting yet but I want the best level for my plants when I do, can anyone give me an indicator on the light level for a low tech planted amazon tank?

 

[FrozenShivers]

Depends on high tech or low tech, plants you use etc. There isn’t a magic number that will work. Start low and slowly work your way higher if required.

 

[PARAGUAY]

It looks like updated version to mine, l don't bother with the sunrise to sunset ,just have it set to come on at the light intensity for my easy plants. never at max.
These are great budget lights IMO with controller ,depending though, on larger aquariums might need two or with something like Pled which with its bright white light gives a nice rendition with the nicrew plant light

 

[Dan1984]

Thanks both, well, i'm only using an all in one fert (TNC complete), Easy Carbo, liquid carbon dioxide and seachem root tabs as well as the light, that counts as low tech right? YEah I don't bother with the day/night cycle either, just a standard mid brightness setting.

 

[hypnogogia]

Use of liquid carbon makes it high tech.

 

[MichaelJ]

NICREW Planted LED Aquarium Light, 24/7 Automated Aquarium Lighting, LED Fish Tank Light with Controller,Upgraded Version, 60cm https://amzn.eu/d/ixt6zmU

I'm currently using this light (the 120cm version on a 240l tank that is around 50cm deep, I haven't started planting yet but I want the best level for my plants when I do, can anyone give me an indicator on the light level for a low tech planted amazon tank?

What sort of plants are you going to keep? Most plants in the easy category wont require much light. Some stems absolutely prefer high light... if you plan for a good coverage of floating plants (see Duckweed index) you may need to run it higher even, so it really depends. Personally, I keep my lights fairly moderate to low.... it's really one of those parameters you may have to tweak along the way as your tank grows in. Start out with an intensity level that looks pleasing and adjust in small increments along the way.

Use of liquid carbon makes it high tech.

I hear what you're saying and quite a few experts in the hobby will agree with you. Personally never really considered adding glutaraldehyde (what we unfortunately call liquid carbon) being high tech, it's a fairly efficient algaecide in small doses though.

Cheers,
Michael

 

[hypnogogia]

I hear what you're saying and quite a few experts in the hobby will agree with you. Personally never really considered adding glutaraldehyde (what we unfortunately call liquid carbon) being high tech, it's a fairly efficient algaecide in small doses though.

I agree. Never really understood why something that adds negligible CO2 and is more effective as an algaecide would be called high tech, let alone “liquid carbon”.

 

[Bradders]

I agree. Never really understood why something that adds negligible CO2 and is more effective as an algaecide would be called high tech, let alone “liquid carbon”.

Not to mention, a slight over-dosing of glutaraldehyde can kill a tank.

 

[Dan1984]

I agree. Never really understood why something that adds negligible CO2 and is more effective as an algaecide would be called high tech, let alone “liquid carbon”.

Does it have any/many benefits, I'd always assumed that it was just another one of those things that's just sold despite not being that useful, but I know one guy who absolutely swears by it, so I was going to give it a try

 

[MichaelJ]

Does it have any/many benefits, I'd always assumed that it was just another one of those things that's just sold despite not being that useful, but I know one guy who absolutely swears by it, so I was going to give it a try

Well, it's definitely a biocide, and it lacks any chemical properties that would qualify it as being a substitute for carbon dioxide as far as I can tell... @Andy Pierce being a biochemist might have some insights.

Another thing is that some plants just wont tolerate it in any meaningful amount; such as certain Vallisneria and certain mosses.

It just might be that it enables you to run your tanks with higher light without the common repercussions.. I don’t know, but I doubt it.

Cheers,
Michael

 

[Dan1984]

Tjqmks very much for the insight

 

[Andy Pierce]

Well, it's definitely a biocide, and it lacks any chemical properties that would qualify it as being a substitute for carbon dioxide as far as I can tell... @Andy Pierce being a biochemist might have some insights.

Another thing is that some plants just wont tolerate it in any meaningful amount; such as certain Vallisneria and certain mosses.

It just might be that it enables you to run your tanks with higher light without the common repercussions.. I don’t know, but I doubt it.

Cheers,
Michael

'Liquid Carbon' is marketing hype - there is no meaningful contribution to soluble CO2 in the water column from glutaraldehyde in any of its various commercialised forms at any level that can be practically dosed without it simply killing everything. For me, unless you are injecting CO2 gas into the water column sufficiently to get any visible movement in drop checker colour, your set-up is 'low tech' (others obviously take a different view).

That being said, the liquid carbon is definitely useful for other purposes. It is an effective algaecide so to the extent that having less algae growth if you are otherwise having algae issues means more nutrients (including CO2) are available for use by the plants you want to have them, and the overall better plant growth from leaves not also supporting algae growth, you can get good results using liquid carbon. Preferable of course would be to not have algae problems in the first instance, in which case having liquid carbon inhibit the growth of not-there-to-have-its-growth-inhibited algae would be of little use.

I spot-treat with liquid carbon (neat) on an 'as needed basis' on hardscape - it is super effective for that. I have gone back and forth on liquid carbon in the water column as an algae preventative measure. I didn't do it, and then for a long time I did, and then I stopped, and then I started doing it again, and currently I'm not doing it. So there is that. I have the impression from my own tank that reports about vallis not doing well with liquid carbon in the water column are true.

 

[G mac]

I've used a small dose of Liquid carbon every other day and it sorted a couple of algae problems for me. I am very aware that it can be a dangerous product if overdosed though

 

[DioramaDieHard]

I see about the Valois with liquid carbon point. I have had similar problems. Still will use it for stubborn algae though!