What to buy next?

[Colin_S]

Hey...

lately i've spent a fortune getting my tank up to spec, upgrading all my old used equipement to new better spec ones. I still need a fair bit but im at the point now where it is good enough. Without pi**ing off the wife too much and before xmas comes around i could get away with 1 maybe 2 pieces of equipment . So i need your input to what i should get next, i think i know what the answer will be, but lets see.
i have a couple of issues that needs addressing.
1. Chaeto is not growing with a amazon grow light, tried 3 different ones. i am running triton so it is important, but my levels are low.
2. outbreak of Cyno, over the last 4 weeks its got better by about 25%.

My tank is 5' x2' x2'
1 x MP40 powerhead
3 x prime HD

Do i get a UV sterilizer? another MP40 or prime HD / Kessil fuge light?

 

[T_BONE]

FWIW, If you are running the triton method I would focus on the refugium.

 

[DrBoomson]

Flow may be the issue causing cyno if you are only running only one MP40 on a 5’ tank. On my 120 4x2x2 I had two mp40s and 2 sw8s with a 3k return. Reference your Chaeto not growing, I used a 5k BR40 led clamp light from Home Depot for 15$ Nothing fancy but pulled out gobs of it every week. If you have budget constraints I would forgo the mp40 and buy a cheaper PH and fudge light.

Check this article out about fudge lighting for macro

An inexpensive Refugium Bulb | Melev's Reef

For over a year, I'd been using a small spiral compact fluorescent bulb that only cost $7, with an output that was 75w of 6500K lighting. Under this 'daylight' color, my macro algae grew steadily. While shopping at Home Depot, I came across a new sealed-floodlight bulb that caught my interest...

www.melevsreef.com

 

[Jon Fishman]

Flow may be the issue causing cyno if you are only running only one MP40 on a 5’ tank.

This was my thought..... a $10 Home Depot light should grow Chaeto, focus on more flow

I run 5 MP40’s on a system with less volume than yours

 

[Colin_S]

i thought most would side with flow. i read that article a while ago and bought this
Bravo Lighting PAR38 18W IP65 LED E27 Equivalent to 150W Halogen Lamp, 3000 K, Warm White [Energy Class A+]

didn't really do anything, so i just bought this

Roleadro Plant Grow Light, 75W Led Growing Light with Red Blue Grow Lights for Indoor Plants Vegetables Flower Growth Lamps
both from amazon, still no growth

looks like another MP40 power head

 

[S2G]

i thought most would side with flow. i read that article and bought this
didn't really do anything, so i just bought this
still no real growth

looks like another MP40 power head

Check out cree 150w ufo style grow light (I think it's 150w) on Amazon or Ebay. Thing is like $50 & will grow macro like a boss

 

[W1ngz]

Your chaeto problem may not be light related at all. I grow plenty with a cheap hardware store grow light.

Iron deficiencies can slow or stall chaeto growth. If you're doing Triton, I assume no water changes, then check your dosing to see if it includes iron.

I'd spend the money on powerheads, especially if you only have one.

 

[Colin_S]

Your chaeto problem may not be light related at all. I grow plenty with a cheap hardware store grow light.

Iron deficiencies can slow or stall chaeto growth. If you're doing Triton, I assume no water changes, then check your dosing to see if it includes iron.

I'd spend the money on powerheads, especially if you only have one.

you're right about iron, my last results i had no iron, but I'm sure this is in the trace elements. i'll be sending off another test sample soon