30w Enough Light?

[Albaba]

Hi there,

Im just wondering if my tank is getting enough light. Its a Juwel rekord 120 (about 80 litres with sand etc in)
Im using a 30w powerglo tube with a silver 30w juwel reflector. I recently refitted the tank and put some nice bright sand in, previously i had black gravel in. It seems a fair bit brighter with the sand in i will say that.

Im just wondering if the 30w is enough for my plants...

Vallis
Hygrophillia
Lilaeopsis

Many thanks

Albaba

 

[Lateral Line]

Your light is quite low.

There are several species and cultivars of all of the plants you mention. Most Vallis species will grow in lower light, the straight leaved species better then the twisted. Similarly, Common Hygrophila species will grow in lower light, but tend to be long and leggy.

The commonest species of Lilaeopsis, (brasiliensis), is a high light demanding species. L. macloviana tolerates lower light, but is not readily available, (here anyway).

I'll move the thread to plants.

 

[Albaba]

Thanks for your reply, sorry i didnt put this in the right place!
So you think its worth trying to add more light to the tank? I could possibly modify the hood to fit a 25w tube. Would this make it a more suitable wattage??

Also it is brasiliensis that i have

Albaba

 

[SuperColey1]

Are you in UK or USA , If UK you can get a 55W Power Compact starter from Aqua Essentials and then buy a daylightplus tube for it (22inches)

 

[Dave Spencer]

Your tank is 120l, which roughly converts to 32USG. With your modified lighting you will have 55W which equates to 1.7WPG which should be good enough to grow all but the most light demanding plants.

I don`t know what type of Lilaeopsis you have without a pic, but as has been said, if it is Macloviana you should be OK.

Dave.

 

[Albaba]

Im in the UK. the problem is with the juwel tanks is that the ballast is sealed into the lid as far as i can tell. So i guess i would have to modify it somehow...

Also its lilaeopsis brasiliensis that i have

Thanks

Albaba

 

[RYO]

I have a record 120l , i have changed the hood now but on the original hood there is a spar between the two flaps where you can fix a second 30w light with an external ballast.

 

[Albaba]

Cool thanks alot i will get me drill out at the weekend

Albaba