question about acro's

bn91280

Member
I am considering moving from my 24 gallon aquapod into a 125 gallon tank. I am wanting to put some acro's in it, and was wondering, roughly, on average about how many new branches I can expect in 6 months time on them. I am hoping that once they grow, I can sell some as they grow to offset the costs a little. The tank I am looking at has 3-400w metal halides, and I am planning to use 3 1100gph power heads. Also, any recommendations or advice is welcome. Thanks to all that help
 

bn91280

Member
I may have misunderstood, but from what I understand, you can raise the wattage, and go with 20k, and keep the nice color, while keeping a good growth rate also, is this correct?
 

digitydash

Active Member
Originally Posted by bn91280
http:///forum/post/2561086
I may have misunderstood, but from what I understand, you can raise the wattage, and go with 20k, and keep the nice color, while keeping a good growth rate also, is this correct?
Yes but 3 400w is little much for a 125.I think 3 250w MH would be plenty unless you are going to get another tank down the road. You will probly need a chiller with that and run the lights on a shorter cycle time.Regardless of the watt the different k rating does have growth rate differences though.I am only running 250 w MH on my 125g with a 14k bulbs
 

bn91280

Member
Sorry, I know I am full of questions, but what about T5's instead? Would coloration, and growth rate be comparable?
 

digitydash

Active Member
I have never had them but I have read they are not as strong as a MH's and your sps's would have to be at the top.Growth rate would be no where near the same for what you are looking for.Maybe someone that is more familiar with them can chime in for you.I went from PC's to MH's
 

bn91280

Member
I have heard that from some, and I have also heard that T5's are replacing the MH's, because they burn cooler, and give similar brightness. Hmmm this can be awfully frustrating lol. Anyone else have an opinion?
 

bn91280

Member
oh, and also, back to my original question... Which I know is hard to answer, but under good conditions, can anyone give me a rough estimate of how many new branches I will see on an acro in 6 months? I know they have different growth rates, Im just looking for an idea, because I have never had one, and really dont know what to expect
 

digitydash

Active Member
T5 are cheaper so more people use them.The only thing that will replace the MH will the LED lighting when the prices drop on them.On the first pic of the tri acro was only 1in it has 5 branches off of it now that are about 1in ea now.All of them now have 2 or 3 on each branch now so their is between 12 or 14 now but they are little still but they do grow fast though.I will take another pic's maybe next week to compair again.
 

digitydash

Active Member
Here a couple for you.
August

2-15-08

3-5-08

This plug is now almost fully covered now.
________________________________________
Tricolor Seneca Acro
9-5-07

10-14-07

11-9-07

2-1-08

3-15-08
 

bn91280

Member
and you have a single 250w MH? do you have any actinics? and is it a "standard" tank? (about 6 ft long)
 
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