to much light and filtration on my 40 gallon breeder?

Hello,new here....My question is I recently set up a 40 gallon breeder tank with 2 aqua clear 70 filters and a 4x6700 t5 ho 167wat light and eco complete substrate.I will be planting this tank pretty heavy and will not be running C02,I will just be using the seachem products.Do I have to much light on this tank?am I gonna have bad algae problems?also do I have to much filtration with the 2 aquaclear 70s?I really want to stay away from C02 as I don't know anything about using it and the xtra expense..I can run just 2 of the bulbs if nead be but I am not sure what I nead to do for sure..can anybody help me out with this...thank you

 

Hi. Welcome to the forum. I'm kinda new here too, and you may get more responses you your question if you post it in the general fish section,plant, or filtration section.

But. That is a lot of light for a 40. If you are dosing with Flourish Excel, every day, then you maybe alright. You may also be OK anyway, but getting the balance of ferts right may be hard with that much light.

I would really look into either DIY CO2, or pressurized CO2 if you want to keep that light fixture. Or, get a new light.

Your filtration is fine. You can never have too much. And if you have too much water movement for your fish, you can turn down the flow on Aquaclears I believe.

 

Thanks for the reply winnie....I plan on dosing excell dailly along with iron and the other flourish products as neaded...As far as the CO2 issue are there any good suggestions for DIY? Any good suggestions for affordable pressurized CO2 systems that might work well for me on this tank?I would like to stay away from C02 but I have an open mind if that's what its gonna take...
As far as the aquaclear filters they do have an adjustable flow and I will keep them on low but wasn't sure if they still might have to much flow for the plants..
Thanks a lot for your help on this

 

Here is a good article on lighting but anything over 2 watts per gallon is going to need some sort of CO2 injection system and you are setting around 4.2 watts per gallon so I would say yes it is too much but if you only run two of the bulb would put you down around 2 watts per gallon. 2 watts per gallon is clasified as a low light system so you would need to have low light plants. If you increase the lighting to accomidate high light plants you will need to increase the avalible CO2.

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/general-guide-to-low-light-planted-tanks.11697/

 

I have no experience with DIY CO2, but I know others here do.

If you can find a used CO2 regulator, that can save you some money. You can look for CO2 tanks on places like craigslist. You can also exchange bottles at welding supply stores. Look for one in your area for prices.

The most expensive part of pressurized CO2 is the regulator. You will also need a bubble counter, CO2 proof tubing, a drop checker,needle valve, a CO2 bottle, and a solenoid valve is helpful. Using a timer with a solenoid valve will shut the CO2 off when the lights aren't on. The are also PH controllers that will also shut the CO2 off it the PH drops below a set number.

If you can't find used, and they can be hard to find, this is a regulator with a bubble counter, solenoid valve,needle valve, on it. It also looks like they will include some tubing for you. All you will need is a bottle, and a light timer for the solenoid valve, and a drop checker.

Here is a drop checker.

 

Welcome to FishLore!!
Thread moved to equipment section of the forum.

Good luck

 

thank you very much for your input bowcrazy,it makes good sense to me,I might just have to learn about CO2 and go with it...
Thanks winnie for you help with this,like I said I don't know anything about C02 but that seemt o be a reasonable package you have suggested,would there be any thing else besides the tank I would nead if I purchased that?also how long does C02 last?
I can't thank ya'll enough for helping me out with this issue

 

Welcome, AL30. You should look up catsma's profile and check out the links she has posted for Co2 and planted tanks. Helped me out tremendously!! I set up a diy Co2 in my 20 galH and the plants have just exploded! As for the lighting you can have a look at this, it may help:

 

Welcome to the forum.

2 AC70s is fantastic!

 

too much light imo. cut down to two and you should be fine without co2.
-j

 

Welcome to Fishlore.

How are the lights mounted? On the tank, about 4 inches sitting on feet, or suspended? The height above the tank makes a huge difference with lighting intensity. Refer to the chart link posted above.

You will most likely need both ferts and a CO2 source. Using Seachem, you will want to look at Fluorish Comprehensive as the base component. Then, if your tank is understocked you may want to consider their Nitrogen and Potassium products. You do not need Iron unless you have a deficiency. And don't bother with Trace as it is nothing more than watered down Comprehensive.

CO2 can be covered with Excel, DIY or injected. Each has its good and bad points.

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks ya'll for the welcomes and all the help,it helps alot..
My lights are settin on legs about 4 inches above the tank over a glass top.
As far as the ferts I am currently using flourish,flourish excell and I have flourish nitrogen and iron on hand if I nead it..I have the tank heavely planted and it has only been running about 3 weeks,I regularly check my water and the parameters are great so far,I only have 5 black phantom tetras in it right now but plan on stocking it fairly heavy when I get everything going good...
Thanks fall river for the lighting chart and thanks cat for the link about DIY it seems very helpfull,now I just have to decide what route to go on this......
thanks again to all,I will keep you posted as I move along with this tank and let ya know the results..

 

thank you very much for your input bowcrazy,it makes good sense to me,I might just have to learn about CO2 and go with it...
Thanks winnie for you help with this,like I said I don't know anything about C02 but that seemt o be a reasonable package you have suggested,would there be any thing else besides the tank I would nead if I purchased that?also how long does C02 last?
I can't thank ya'll enough for helping me out with this issue

The tank, drop checker, and a light timer for the solenoid valve is what you will need with the regulator I linked.Depending on how you plan on diffusing it, you may need a diffuser too. I have 10 pound bottles for 55 and 75 gallon tanks, and they last for around 6 months I think. It may be longer. They cost $25 to refill.

 

The tank, drop checker, and a light timer for the solenoid valve is what you will need with the regulator I linked.Depending on how you plan on diffusing it, you may need a diffuser too. I have 10 pound bottles for 55 and 75 gallon tanks, and they last for around 6 months I think. It may be longer. They cost $25 to refill.

thanks again winnie,,seems like most costly thing is to get set up than,I'm thinking I will prob go ahead in the near future and give C02 a try...(hope I can figure out how to connect everything)lol

 

The initial cost is the most. Keeping it going is minimal. Kind of like keeping fish. Once you get it figured out, pressurized CO2 is the way to go IMO. I use to use Flourish Excel in smaller tanks, but the cost gets to be quite a bit over time. And I have never seen a down side to pressurized CO2. Holler if you get a rugulator, and need help with it. Look around for prices and deals. I linked the first ones I found. Milwaukee makes descent regulators, and I have one. But there are more expensive ones out there. You do get what you pay for. Investing in a nicer needle valve is usually worth it. But, this will all come in the future. Good luck with your planted tank adventure. Keeping plants is every bit as addictive as keeping fish.

 

The initial cost is the most. Keeping it going is minimal. Kind of like keeping fish. Once you get it figured out, pressurized CO2 is the way to go IMO. I use to use Flourish Excel in smaller tanks, but the cost gets to be quite a bit over time. And I have never seen a down side to pressurized CO2. Holler if you get a rugulator, and need help with it. Look around for prices and deals. I linked the first ones I found. Milwaukee makes descent regulators, and I have one. But there are more expensive ones out there. You do get what you pay for. Investing in a nicer needle valve is usually worth it. But, this will all come in the future. Good luck with your planted tank adventure. Keeping plants is every bit as addictive as keeping fish.

thanks winnie,,I will holler at ya if I run into trouble.....

 

Simple solution is raise your lights a good 12" off the tank. Can you hang them from the ceiling? I used square candle holders to raise m/ine 3".

 

Simple solution is raise your lights a good 12" off the tank. Can you hang them from the ceiling? I used square candle holders to raise m/ine 3".

Thanks for the advice,I was wondering if that would work,,my light can be hung from the ceiling ,I might have to try that...I have only been running 2 of the bulbs at the same time and my plants are still really taking off but I will try to get it raised and see how that works....thanks again

Welcome, AL30. You should look up catsma's profile and check out the links she has posted for Co2 and planted tanks. Helped me out tremendously!! I set up a diy Co2 in my 20 galH and the plants have just exploded! As for the lighting you can have a look at this, it may help:

thanks for the link fall river,,according to the chart I am still in to high lighting with only 2 bulbs going,,my lights are 4 inches above the tank and there is only about 13 inches from the substrate to the top of the tank,does this mean I will still have plenty of light just running 2 bulbs at a time?

 

With high lighting, you will have to balance it with ferts and CO2 supplementation will now be required. You could also try running a single tube if your fixture will still function this way; or your could further raise the fixture to reduce the lighting.

 

With high lighting, you will have to balance it with ferts and CO2 supplementation will now be required. You could also try running a single tube if your fixture will still function this way; or your could further raise the fixture to reduce the lighting.

Thanks for the idea catsma,I think ill try raising the light,,I have been running only 2 bulbs and using flourish and flourish excell and so far everythng has been working well,the plants are doing great and no algae problems so far...