Aquaguru

I have a 120g (4x2x2) that was a SW reef tank for 4 years. I have recently wanted to convert this to a FW planted tank. I have two 175w MH bulbs and two 45w VHO atinic bulbs. Would this be too much light for a planted FW tank or would it be fine to use.

soldieroffortune1974

I would say that would be fine for most plant species.Even low-light plants do better with more light. I would say you're ok with that.

The actinic lights would be good in the 5500 - 6500k for freshwater plants. The actinic lights need to be monitored or you'll be dealing with large amounts of algae.

As long as the lights aren't left on 12-15 hours a day,generally 8-10 hours is enough but with the MH and actinic I would stay closer to 8.

ER9

also depends on how technical and how much you want to fiddle around with your aquarium. at that amount of light your plants are going to grow quickly and demand the addition and monitoring of nutrients. you will probably be dosing ferts daily or close to it. also this increase will probably also demand the addition of compressed co2 (tank and regulator). if your plants dont get the co2 and grow slow you they could end up being outcompeted for nutrients by algae. another option is to start out with less light...get accustomed to keeping the tank balanced and then add more light later.

Jess

I have read that the more light you have the more you have to feed your plants.
Sounds basic, but the actinic lights I've read can cause algae, wrong type of plant you want growing. Again I'm just beginning to read up on this myself.

Aquaguru

Well the atinics are on a separate ballast and each of the MH has there own ballast so I could run them separately like one on for 4 hours then the other for 4 hours.

Also sorry I'm new to FW, what is this ferts? is it a chemical or an additive to feed plants?

Jess

Fertilizers to feed to your plants. Usually liquid based these are a few people like. . .

Flourish Trace
Flourish Excel
Flourish Iron

They feed from the leaves more than the roots. (as I understand)