Juwel twin T5 without CO2 - who's done it?

[Tom]

Just thought I'd ask if anyone's running low tech under a Juwel twin T5 light system. I'm rather wishing the old T8 unit hadn't died a couple of years back, as I had to replace it with the new T5 one. Is it possible without CO2 injection? I know the old T8 system worked very well for me for years.

Tom

 

[George Farmer]

I reckon it's possible - just don't fit reflectors and limit your photoperiod to about 6hrs or so. Floating plants may be a good idea too.

 

[Tom]

Thanks George - The tank used to have a covering of Duckweed, but it's disappeared over the last few months for some reason. Until today the rockwork had a 100% covering of BBA too which I'd purposefully let cover everything. There was none on the sand or anything but the rocks, and it looked quite good.

I've just ripped it all out though and I'm going to do something different with this tank. I may elevate certain areas using the rocks, and have areas of potting soil under a gravel layer to try plants in. Either that, or get a couple of Java Ferns on bogwood.

 

[Alastair]

I know this goes against everything said, but on my previous 5 foot, I ran 4 x 54 watt t5s, no co2 lots of plants With a relatively big fish load and the only algae I ever got was GSA. Not sure if I was just very lucky. Id never try it again ha