Fluval Spec V Light Experiment

From what I have read the light that comes with the fluval spec v is considered to be in the low light range. For a good visual example of what plants will grow best under this light I dirted and planted a 2.5 gallon tank with plants that range from low to high lighting requirements.

- Java Fern Windelov
- Rotala Rotundifolia
- Pogostemon Helferi
- Pogostemon Erectus
- Cabomba pulcherrima
- Myriophyllum pinnatum (Green Myrio)
- Hemianthus micranthemoides (Baby Tears)
- Cryptocoryne Wendtii
- Riccia Fluitans
- Heteranthera zosterfolia (Star Grass)

After one week in, all plants are showing new growth, including the medium and high light plants. There is also little to no algae growth.

Tank Dimensions - 2.5 gallon 12 x 6 x 8
Substrate - Miracle Grow Organic Potting Mix
Cap - Black Aquarium Sand

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Permalink Reply by Peter on September 2, 2013 at 8:50pm

how tall is the the fluval edge compared to the how tall the 2.5g is?. the height of the light makes a big difference

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Permalink Reply by Anthony Piti on September 2, 2013 at 9:15pm

Forgot to put that on there Peter so thanks for the question.
The fluval spec is 11.6 inches tall, 10.6 with an inch of substate.
The 2.5 gl is 8 inches tall, 7.2 with a little under an inch of substrate.
I picked out the shortest stems of the two higher light plants(cabomba and p. erectus) to make up for the height difference. The tallest stem is 1 inch tall.

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Permalink Reply by Anthony Piti on September 2, 2013 at 9:35pm

And the light is also at the same height as it would be on the fluval spec

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Permalink Reply by Anthony Piti on November 3, 2013 at 9:54pm

The experiment tank has been running for two months now and I've had some interesting results.

After 1 months time, the cabomba, pogostemon erectus, and green myriophyllum all died off from lack of light. The rest of the pants (rotala, baby tears, pogostemon helferi, stargrass, and java fern) were surviving in the low light but were not able to take up enough of the nutrients from the dirt and started to melt. The light was sitting over the 2.5 gallon tank at the same height as it would be over the fluval spec v.

For the second month of the experiment (phase 2) I lowered the light and put it right on top of the 2.5 gallon tank and put in new clippings of pogostemon helferi and baby tears because the first ones had melted away completely. The results spoke for themselves.