2ft Cube Lighting....

[BigIan]

Well the Mrs and i are planning a new tank, and want a low tec planted tank but lighting is my issue,
does the watts per gallon rule apply to T5`s or is there a diffrent rule?

and does any one know about the new Led lighting units are they any good for plants?

 

[aaronnorth]

T5's have more light output (and lux) per square inch so they are more powerful, the rule is more leanient with these.

The LED lighting units (i asssume you mean the TMC) are ok for plants. George is currently testing one on his and he is getting good results. It adds a different light output throughout the water (sparkles).

 

[BigIan]

excelent...

as the tank will be 2 foot deep i`m quiteconcerned about penetration. as i`d like a nice carpet of hair grass

 

[aaronnorth]

you are borderline. Best option is T5 (power compact) or metal halide

 

[BigIan]

metal halide is well out of the question as it will be a "low tec" tank so will only breed algae.
and trying to find a PCt5 luminare is hard i can find HOt5 ones but not the power compact.

Is there really that much diffrence between the HO or the Pc t5`s?

 

[aaronnorth]

Power compacts are double tubes (so more light over a smaller space) whereas HOT5 are singular

 

[BigIan]

so the light output is the same as a a hot5?

not more "powerfull" so to speak?

i was looking at something like this if we don`t go for the led`s

http/www.thelivingseas.uk.com/p/474869/b...-luminaire.html

 

[aaronnorth]

No, just double tube. here is a pic to explain better

What size tank is it?

 

[BigIan]

its going to a 2 ft cube roughly 60 gallons


thanks for all the help btw its been ages since i set up a planted tank and cant remember all the maths

 

[aaronnorth]

That lighting unit is a good size for your tan. Only thing is, with it being T5 & a large tank. I think you may be on the 2wpg level anyway which will require CO2 & more nutrients.

 

[BigIan]

i thought it was towards 4 wpg when you needed co2?

 

[aaronnorth]

no 2WPG, as the general rule

4WPG is a lot!

I think 80w would be a good wattage for your tank (1.3wpg)

 

[BigIan]

see told you it had been a while....

arcadia do a 3 tube luminare witch would give us 1.2 wpg.

now just need to talk to the mrs about finding cash.....


thanks for the help

 

[aaronnorth]

that would be better, you could call it 1.5WPG then (the level i like to aim for as a minimum light level)

Good luck.

 

[BigIan]

Thanks mate, looking forward to playing with my tank again