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Originally Posted by Stevenmi Thanks craig...I had almost talked myself into wanting to add fish to this tank. But after thinking about it...I may not add any, perhaps just zoos and shrooms.
Clownboy, Do you have a chiller? I had to do so much just to keep it cool with the 2 sunpaqs(54w total), I cant imagine doing the MH with with a closed top 12 gal without one. The problem I think is the air space between the lamp/ballast cover and the water(no air movement) unless you open the door.
While i am maintaining at 82-83, I still want to lower it. I have some computer heat sync fans...I may try to cut a hole in the side of the top and add one (12 volt/.18 amp) just to clear the surface air. Bet it improves my O2level...
Steve |
I was worried about the same thing when I upgraded. This what I was told to do and it worked out great. You remove your top w/lights. Your MH lights sit 4 - 6 inches off the water. You buy a sheet of Egg crate and cut it to fit in the top of your tank (very easy to do, only took me 10 min.), so your fish dont jump out. This also allows for better oxygen exchange and evaporation.
Before I upgraded my lights my temp was between 80 and 82 degress and now it is between 79 and 81 degrees, and I was so worried about heat. I do have to add about two - three cups of water (walmart RO/DI water for .37 cents a gallon) at the end of the day. Which helps the water quality. I do a 20% water change every two weeks.
Ammonia - 0
Nitrites - 0
Nitrates - 2.5 (Very good for this size of a tank)
Calcium - 440
Alk - Normal
PH - 8.2
These lights were worth every penny. My wife was upset that I bought them and the other day she told me that it was worth it.
I hope this helps