90 Gallon Planted - Lighting?

[robgurr]

I was just wondering what kind of lighting would be ideal for my 90 gallon planted tank. I just bought two 40W Aqua-Glo flourecent lights. Will this be enough? I've read the section on lighting and am worried I have terribly undershot the lighting requirements. I currently have two Amazon Swords, one Dwarf Anubias, and one other dwarf plant I'm not sure what its called (small, red leaves on it). Any tips would be appreciated!

Thanks

 

[Jen]

I have a 90 as well, 24" deep.

The amount of lighting you need will all depend on how planted you want to go. For a 'low light tank' you will need closer to 90 watts. I have 220 watts... close to 2.5 watts per gallon... and that's only medium light.

 

[robgurr]

i'd like to get a lot more plants...how do you get such a high wattage? the lights i bought were around the highest wattage i could get in flourecent tubes and the light fixture only holds 2 tubes. I've heard Metal-halide and Mercury vapor lamps give a higher output but do you ever have to replace them? If anyone knows what the cost of a couple of these types of lamps are that would be helpful. O ya any my tank dimensions are 48" long, 24" high, and 18" deep.
Thanks a lot!

 

[Jen]

I have a power compact fixture. It holds 4 of those U shaped bulbs at 55 watts each. These bulbs need replacing every 6-8 months. I don't know anything about the other 2 types of bulbs.

 

[robgurr]

hmmm...i've never seem any fixtures that hold more than 2 tubes at my LFS before...i'll have to look into it. Thanks

 

[Jen]

This is the unit that I got Coralife Retrofit Kit. Expensive, but worth it in my eyes.