LIGHTING AND SUBSTRATE

Question
HI I HAVE A 55 GAL TANK SET UP ABOUT A YEAR,I WANT A PLANTED SETUP.CAN I REMOVE THE GRAVEL I NOW HAVE AND REPLACE WITH ECO-COMPLETE WITHOUT REMOVING THE WATER?I HAVE A COMPACT LIGHTING WITH 192 WATTS WITH 1- 1000K AND 1-1200K IS THIS TO MUCH LIGHTING?THANKS ED

Answer
Hey Ed:

First off i doubt there will be away you can take your gravel out you got in there and replace with eco complete, that would be a diaster lol. So my answer is.. .NO lol.

Second off.. The lighting calvin rating for a planted tank spectrum wise would be about 6700K so your off by alot.. you dont have the right type of light at all. And if your going to run a 55 gallon on 192 watts that's almost 4 WPG which is HIGH HIGH lighting... meaning you would have So many algae problems unless you are dosing EI (estimated index) fertilizing method and providing co2 at a VERY stable 30ppm then you would be fine... but i wouldnt risk it. Try a 130Watt coralife 6700k rated light fixture... about 120$ worth the money :)

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