Question about Lighting

[zoalover34]

would this light be better for the LR instead of the regular lid that comes with the tank if i use different bulbs?

because i have a few of these im not using in my basement and if they are better for the rock then i will just use these with different bulbs.. any input would be great! also i seen this stuff on some ebay store its called "Purple" its supposed to help purple corline grow on your rocks faster. has anyone used anything like this to enhance the growth? if so how did it work and/or would you put this stuff in your tank? how long does it take for good algie to grow on the rocks? any info would be great thanks again in advance!

 

[wayne]

Well as far as I can tell it just looks like normal fluorescents to me, so I would say just get as many over the top as you can. Mix in 10K, 12K lightbulbs with actinics in a mix of maybe 3:1 as actinics look pretty but aren't really that bright, and age quickly.

I have seen but not used purple up. I grow coralline very fast though by keeping my Calcium levels high - for many tanks just doing water changes will be enough. The fluorescent lighting will work quite well for this too. Good coralline requires decent water, high Ca and reasonably blue lighting that isn't too intense. That's about it i.m.o.

 

[Joe Fish]

That picture is a picture of my setup and yes, it's only a regular flourescent that was purchased at home depot. There are 2 bulbs in it. I'm thinking about getting one more light like that so I can have 4 total.

Also, what do I have to do to test for calcium? What do I add?

 

[zoalover34]

with those lights would i be able to hot zoathids and polyps?

 

[Joe Fish]

From what I have been reading probably not. Unless if you put them on a piece of rock that is closer to the top. Possibly the polyps.

 

[fish outa wata]

you'll have to buy a calcium test kit, Aquarium Testing: Hagen Calcium Test Kit I have a different brand but it's comparable in price. Like Wayne said you'll have to make sure the levels are high to keep certain inverts.

 

[kevin4052002]

I just finished off a bottle of PurpleUp and will not be using it again. It makes a huge mess, and its benefits aren't as much as I'd like to pay for. It DOES work if you want to use it though.

 

[KahluaZzZ]

my best way to get coralline was to scratch some on the glass or rocks ..it'll spread faster.
Anyways it'll come sooner or later, you'll have plenty

 

[fish outa wata]

kahlua so you spread the coraline by basically nicking it and placing it elsewhere? I wouldn't have thought that would work, good to know.

 

[KahluaZzZ]

well with an exacto or knive i just scratch a rock ( glass scraper for glass ) gently to get micro particles of coralline.