I might do a diary on the full setup when the frogs have matured
You have live plants in this setup, don't you?? Have you considered how much light they require to stay healthy? The single flourescent tube I use for my lighting doesn't put out the equivalent energy over the plants as the sun would, so I wind up leaving the light on about 15 hours a day to give the plants enough energy to thrive.
I've always been under the impression that typical lighting for your viv, aquarium, terrarium or what ever might look bright but when the strength of the light is measured in the wavelengths desirable for good photosynthesis, that they fall quite shore of what the sun gives out for the same square measure of area.
So just running your light cycle to match whats nature does may not be adequate unless your lights do put out the same energy that the sun would give that same area.
These are the 4 bulbs running the now in this setup, think it will be enough?
The plants will more than likely have a period in the natural environment where UV is lower and the clouds are belting down of rain.
This is why im going to half the light and UV during wet season.
I think I can get a good cycle for all life in this environment.
Well I hope so anyway.
Remember this is a 90cm L x 45 W x 90 H, its a decent size setup
I slightly agree with Privet, you may need at least 6-7 or a little more depending on the type of plants and you said about having fish possibly if I'm remembering correctly, that imo might need to have 6 hours with those bulbs on. I have them for my 55 Gallon 48x13x20 in a compact top and they wouldn't be enough alone imo to give these plants and fish enough artificial light. Perhaps a more powerful light could work with 1 or 2 of them on during your wet season. Just giving ideas and trying to be infomative.
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All ideas are welcome from everyone thats why im here.
I dont know about adding more light, 70% of the plants are Pothos and philos so I guess I better have a read at what they can tolerate. Maybe ill just reduce the time but keep the 4 bulbs going to aid the Pothos.
I think the philos will be ok as I know they can tolerate lower light but its the Pothos I need to read up on.
The master plan is 8-9hrs of light per day instead of the normal 11
I don't think UV plays an important part of photosynthesis for plants. But I was recently shown to be wrong about UV and FBT's, so I'm certainly not saying that as gospel.
However it's not something that will be immediately disastrous. You'll see if the plants are suffering. Then you'll just have to decide if it's the lack of light, or the "rain" leaching the nutrients from their planting medium or something else entirely.
I think UV vs plants depends on the species of plant life and other aspects out with photosynthesis. I do like ecology etc and im a celtic fan so supposidly we are naturally green fingers and toes ha ha.
But lets cut to the chase do you think Pothos could handle a drop down to 8 hrs of light a day using the current 4 bulbs?
I have a bright idea!!!!
What about having the lights on a timer so they go off or cut down to two when the sprinklers start but turn on when the water stops?
We have a lot of pothos as houseplants in some of the lower light areas of our house and it does well. Though these areas do get a couple hours of good indirect sunlight each day. On the water side of the issue though.... our pothos plants do seem to be a source of gnats when we overwater them to much. Not sure if the gnats are from just the wet soil or that they are from parts of the overly large root system that pothos has that may be rotting in places.
Personally I'm okay if the lights stayed on entirely when it rain is going. If rain is a feature you want to "showcase", then I would think you want others to be able to see it.
But if your object is to recreate and model a rainy season environment then I suppose that modulating the lighting is a must.
Cheers privet
Its not really show case feature or anything im just trying to create as close as I can to rainy season for them.
I guess its what we once spoke about before, getting a balance for all.
Regarding gnats I know some people that add nematodes to your house plants to help combat them but I dont know how they would be in a viv, has anyone tried?
Species such as Steinernematids or Neoaplectanids.
Edit: but then again they could affect the feeder insects.
Im thinking for the rainy season to increase the plant pot heights within the soil to add additional drainage by using these, bags are £1 each
Basically what ill do is lift the plant pots for each plant thats either covered with moss or soil and add the above stones to the base thus raising the pot.
I do have a good drainage as per above posts and pictures but I think this will improve it even more for the plants when the base has puddle coverage.
Well guys here is my rain maker but the maxijet 750 cant handle the climb to much rattling so I have ordered a 1000 series, but here is what it looks like anyway till its tweaked...
Couple of more supporting D clamps to add...
And of course some frogs....
Excellent at hiding......
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