Need Advice on Light for Walstad Method Tank 120 Gallon

[RichardChen]

I set up this tank on Thanksgiving day pretty much following Walstad method. I planted 25 plants (7 species.) After 10 days observation, water sprite, Cryptocoryne wendtii, and amazon sword all show growth. Amazon sword grow a leaf per day. Money wort and rotala rotundifolia don't seem doing anything. Two red tiger lotus look dead. They came in slimy already the day I received them. I checked water yesterday, Amonia =0, Nitrite = 0, and Nitrate is between 5 to 10 ppm.

Currently I put two 3' double bright LED and a 96W Coralife light on top of the tank.
10-days-1.jpg
Per Walstad, 2 wpg is her setup. I don't know how to calculate wpg for LED. I checked around websites and there are all kind of lights for planted tank from T12, T8, T5, and T5HO. What standard does wpg apply? T12, T8, T5, and T5HO? The tank is 72"L by 18"W and 23"H to the top. Do my current light close to 2wpg? What light and bulbs should I buy to get 2wpg for this tank? where? and any name brand? Your advice is highly appreciated.

[Roshan8768]

WPG isn't the best indicator anymore for the strength of the lighting, it was used when T8 lighting was the most common form around.

If those are the Marineland LEDS I've heard that they aren't that good. If I were you, I'd sell the fixtures you currently have and shoot for a 2 bulb T5HO fixture... that's plenty of light for any plant that you would want to keep

[mnemenoi]

What kind of lighting is the Coralife fixture? Power Compact or T5? 96 watts should be alright in a tank that size and limit algae growth. The LEDS are really extras, so if your happy with their appearance then I'd keep them, but penetration is likely weak and I imagine only adds a bit more lumens. Most of your touchy stuff will take a bit to see if it comes back (Red Tiger Lotus), but its a bulb and should throw out leaves once it gets over the initial start up shock. I'd personally let the tank roll for a few months and see what you like and what you don't. Most tanks like these take months to finally settle in and finally finish the tweaking on lighting, photo period, dosing, and livestock. Currently I would imagine you are just above 1 WPG based on your lighting now, but with growth being seen it is obviously enough. WPG is something I utilize, but can be a bit fictitious when applied to tiny nanos and much larger tanks. Stems are really tricky in non-co2 tanks, but will just take some time to come around. Higher (more potent) lights can help, but can also add to algae outbreaks quickly and make it almost impossible to control.

[RichardChen]

I was scared to have algae boom before I set it up. I am very, very glad that so far only a couple of hair algae found in the tank. I Also found a couple of new red tiger lotus leaves came out of the substrate (oh, yes!!) My concern is that the newly grow sword leaves are kind of yellow-green color. Is that because the light doesn't provide the correct spectrum or is because the tannins from the miracle grow soil?
The Coralife fixture has one bulb but looks like two with one end connected. I don't think it is T5. I have been changing 20% of the water every week to get rid of tannins. Does T5HO generate a lot of heat? Catalina Aquarium has 36" 2 bulbs T5HO light (78 Watts.) Will it be close to 2 wpg if I have two of them on top of the tank?

[mnemenoi]

Sounds like you have Power Compact Bulbs, which are great bulbs in my opinion. T5's have a bit more deeper penetration, but with your tank being a bit more shallow it should do fine. T5HO and PC generate about the same amount of heat. Tannins are likely from the Miracle Soil. You can add some Purigen to get rid of them, but you'll have to regenerate it more quickly as I have a feeling its something you'll fight for awhile at least. You can always add another light array and just fiddle with the photoperiod until your happy and you work through and algae bloom you might have. Eventually it is something everyone deals with, blackouts are certainly helpful as well as Excel/Hydrogen Peroxide dosing.

[AHP]

+1 on everything that has been said already.

About your sword. I am not sure what type of substrate you have but I can tell you from my expereince I had to add root tabs around my sword to get them to do well, now I do not get yellow or transparent leaves.

[armthehomeless]

Richard --

Looks like a good start! I'm by know means a plant expert, but it sounds like you may want to and a little more light . . . as others have mentioned. It is hard to see in this picture, but I think you have a java fern planted into the substrate. in the back towards the right. I've found that ferns usually do better with exposed roots. I've got a couple plants that I think will go well in your tank. You are more than welcome to them.

Tim

Tim
Are you planning on adding some rocks or driftwood to the tank?

[RichardChen]

Tim --
Per Walstad method, I am not supposed to add driftwood or rocks to avoid compacting the substrate. But when I gain more experience later on, I might aquascape a little bit. The tank does look "plain," but my goal now is to see those "easy grow" plants do well in the tank. I hope after adding a community of shrimps and school of small fish would make the tank look better. Do you have any easier-care shrimps and cute small school fish for me to pick up this Saturday? Please let me know.

I added 5 cherry shrimps to the tank and they swim a lot. I don't know if they love the tank or just try to get out. I think two eheim 2217 mae too much current for them. They do need place to hide, don't they.

[mnemenoi]

We have had them survive and breed in an Ehiem that was on our Fahaka tank. Guess it was the safest place. Tim has a great selection of fish, shrimp and snails for any planted tank. I'd suggest something you might even breed, always a fun thing to watch and observe in a tank that size

[Lannie]

Your lighting is probably fine as is

Hi RichardChen,

How are things going with your new Walstad planted tank? I have a new Walstad tank also! On mine, I noticed that tannins and cloudiness cleared almost instantly once I added fish.

For your tank, the lighting is probably fine inasmuch as you are already seeing fast plant growth. An alternative to increasing lighting before the plant load is very sufficient to deter algae, would be to reduce height of the water column over the plants until they get a bit taller.

Here's an Walstad article re shrimp in Walstad planted tiny tanks and bowls in case you're interested:
http://www.bookmasters.com/marktplc/00388Shrimp.pdf.

[RichardChen]

I am very pleased with the result of implementing Walstad method NPT. No algae bloom, no cloudy water, but a lot of plants growing.
Even though I don't like the tannins, somehow it look natural and warm. Thanks to Armthehomelss telling me about Aquazoo carrys the perfect fine gravel I needed to cap the Miracle Grow soil. My drawf shrimps, endliers, panda loaches, and CPD all look happy in the tank. i had only one new born endler baby. Not sure if they are still adjusting to the water. Here is a picture I took today (1/14/2014)
011414-120g.jpg
Very little work, once a week 20% water change. No gravel wash !! It's ideal for me. If I know it would be this easy to maintain the tank and enjoy its beauty, I would do it long time ago.

Thanks to all who give me advice. Thanks to Walstad and her publication. And thanks to Homeless for sharing his collection.

[AHP]

Looks great. The tank has really filled in very nice.

[troy tucker]

Very nice plants. I'm not a plant guy but your plants make me want to try a planted tank.