Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mr Meseeks on May 8, 2013 at 9:34pm

Hey guise, what kind of bees make milk? BOO BEES :D LOL get it? boobies? LOLROFLOMFGBBQ

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Permalink Reply by Mr Meseeks on May 8, 2013 at 9:37pm

That was completely irrelevant to what i said kind sir.

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Permalink Reply by LED on May 8, 2013 at 9:36pm

and it starts........ with of course a joke  smh  u dork

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Permalink Reply by Josh the reef noob on May 12, 2013 at 9:43pm

i like snakes milk

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Permalink Reply by John Schaffer on May 19, 2013 at 2:48am

Hi,

I just got a new tank (60 Gallon - 4' length X 1' width X 2' depth).  This is my first dirt planted aquarium and I am going to follow Dustin's instructions on dirt, clay & gravel to the letter, but I have some questions on lighting.

The tank came with a 2 piece hood.  Each side has one  Marineland Natural Daylight F15T8NDL  18" fluorescent bulb.  By my calculations that give me a total of 30 watts for a 60 gallon tank.  Is that enough light?  Should I increase the size of the bulb - go up to a T12?  Or, if I stick with these lights should I keep them on longer? Say 8-10 hours a day?

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Permalink Reply by LED on May 19, 2013 at 3:17am

Congrats on the newly dirted tank

now on to the questions:

1)  the T8N  means normal output with a diameter of 1 inch.  increasing the the size of the bulb to T12 actually reduces the light output.  Do not increase the size of the tube.  If you want more light then go to a T8 fixture with electronic ballasts which increase the light output to near T5 normal output lights

2) personally i believe those lights are not enough for a 60 gallon.  I would increase the lighting to at least 1 or 2 watts per gallon.  This will enable you to grow plants that need at most the borderline low to low-medium light demanding plants

3) increasing the photosynthetic time for your plants with the preexisting lights may not be enough.  Given that the tubes are only 18 inches long and T8 means you will be at the bottom end of very low light.  You might be able to make a plant stay alive but it possibly will not grow new leaves, which eventually leads to plant death.  I cant say for certain that the plants will all die but I can say you will not be happy.  

personally I think you should increase the lighting.  Those stock lights are simply to light the tank for fish only tanks,  NOT planted tanks.

ps( T5 light fixtures are very inexpensive now,  look around for one, and ask advice for links to decent fixtures)

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Permalink Reply by ŦůRbö ۰ Ҏяѻ ۰ on May 24, 2013 at 8:03am

I know right,

A modern-day warrior
Mean mean stride,
Today's Tom Sawyer
Mean mean pride.

Though his mind is not for rent,
Don't put him down as arrogant.
His reserve, a quiet defense,
Riding out the day's events.
The river

And what you say about his company
Is what you say about society.
Catch the mist, catch the myth
Catch the mystery, catch the drift.

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Permalink Reply by Robert Jango on May 26, 2013 at 1:02am

Is that yours Turbo?

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Permalink Reply by David D on June 4, 2013 at 6:16am

Anyone have any experience making sure an elephantnose eats in a community tank? I have angels, gouromis, clown loaches and a few tetras in with him in my 6 year cycled 29 gallon. Water is very hard here so pH is high but other than that it is pristine and well planted and plenty of bogwood and rocks for him to hide. I see him get one or two bloodworms every day but that is with me basically putting a small jar with the bloodworms in it right in front of his cave and even then the loaches quickly find it and shove him off. Been reading these forums for a long time, finally joined because this is the first real problem i've had in a long time. My brother got me the fish for my birthday so I would rather not loose him and I don't really want to move him to another tank. Thank you for any advise you have I really want to make sure he is healthy and happy. 

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Permalink Reply by Robert Jango on June 4, 2013 at 9:17pm

Sorry, I have no experience with them. But I know they are very shy fish - probably nocturnal. And for this reason they don't make good community fish. I've read they have the largest brain of all tropical fish and can be made into great pets over time - even allowing you to hold them.  The absolute best food for them is live blackworms if you don't mind shelling out the $$$. They'll relish digging them out of the substrate. The name of the company that sells them is California Blackworms. If you decide to order some let me know and I'll tell you how to keep the worms alive.  If you feed them in moderation they'll last forever. But again you've got to know how to keep them alive.  

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Permalink Reply by David D on June 5, 2013 at 9:57am

Thanks Robert, that is great advice. My LFS used to stock them, but I may end up ordering them from california blackworms-it looks like they priced them at $35/lb which isn't too bad if I can keep them alive- I end up spending a lot on frozen food anyway. I appreciate the help! 

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Permalink Reply by Robert Jango on June 5, 2013 at 2:48pm

If you're getting a pound they should last about 6 months to a year. Of course, if you feed them ridiculous amounts, they'll only last about a month. Calblackworms recommends that you put them in the fridge, and I don't blame them for giving this recommendation. But it's totally inadequate. In the fridge they'll only last about a week or two. If/when you order them let me know and I'll show how you can keep them alive forever. In fact, they'll breed while you have them.

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