My 36g Cube is crowded with live stock considering upgrading tank and light can no longer sufficiently illuminate tank to my liking. Opinions welcomed

[SMI]

After almost 2 years my 36 gallon bio cube is complete although it seems to be getting pretty crowded with live planted and livestock would you agree

 

[Aros]

Well that clam doesn’t look like it’s going to effect the bioload.


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[SMI]

Yeah there’s a bunch in there occasionally the cobalt blue crayfish gets a hold of one and manages to pry it open

 

[SMI]

Oh and another question I actually have for the present reefers is should I add another light to my mount which I can Accommodate up to three 16 to 18 inch strips or should I just upgrade my one LED fixture therefore allowing easier access to the tank because with so much life planted it’s getting kind of dark in there. Thanks in advance Steve

 

[Matt W]

Your plants look 'okay' but might benefit from some NPK dosing. That light is fine for growing the plants you have. If you do upgrade your light, be VERY careful. It WILL cause you to have algae outbreak if you increase par too quickly.

 

[SMI]

Your plants look 'okay' but might benefit from some NPK dosing. That light is fine for growing the plants you have. If you do upgrade your light, be VERY careful. It WILL cause you to have algae outbreak if you increase par too quickly.

Thanks Matt appreciate the advice save me a whole bunch of money upgrading the lamp I actually was dosing for a while but those little canisters they sell costing me a fortune I want to buy a bigger tank and somehow retrofit the regulator to it I just got to use my plumbing back around and get creative and find someone who can fill it

 

[Matt W]

No prb.

• In dosing, I mean adding Nitrogen, Phosphate, and Potassium (NPK) and a micro. I would recommend the following product THRIVEC | ALL IN ONE FERTILIZER | DESIGNED FOR LOWER TECH TANKS RRP: $23.99
• It will be very challenging with the mini CO2. For 30 -50 Gal, I would encourage paintball tank to 5#lb. In my 40G, a 5# tank will last about 3 months. The mini CO2 tank will last a couple days when targeting the optimal CO2 levels of 20 to 30 ppm
  
  My favorite setups are low maintenance; Medium light plants (like yours), Medium light, and no CO2. My current favorite planted tank, I haven't change the water in 6+ mo and really only filled the auto top off and refilled the feeder. Love it. Great growth on my plants.

High light and high CO2 tanks are not low maintenance. It is much like driving a race car at the limit. You are almost always at the edge of crashing. Weekly 50% WC are a must, daily dosing, fussing with CO2 levels, flow, yada. But if you have the time, they can be amazing. I only have time right now for one high light show tank and my reef, then the rest of my tanks are set up such that they are ultra-low maintenance. I then can just enjoy them!