Can You Recommend A Light For Me?

[Abyss]

I am interested in growing vallis, and vallis alone.

My tank is 40" x 20" x 30" (height).

So it is 30" tall.

I am very energy conscious so would prefer to maybe go LED if possible.

Recommendations I have found is 1w per 1 US gallon. My tank is approx 360L actual, so that is like 95w...seems like a lot?

Don't know anything about plants relly so looking for guidance. Just want Vallis to grow as it is, and always have been my favourite plant.

Thanks.

 

[KittyKat]

As far as I am aware, the average LEDs are less efficient per light output than the average T5 with an electric ballast (and don't quote me on this one, it came only from theoretical considerations). Fancy LEDs are, of course, more efficient.

95W seems about right, but you could survive with less (probably), I am currently growing Vallis under 0.65 WPG and it is fine, before that, I had the same plants under 1.2 WPG and I have grown it under 2 WPG in the distant past. In essence, light is not the most important part for Vallis.

 

[Abyss]

What is the most important part for Vallis?

 

[KittyKat]

Depends on the set-up, but most of the time it's nutrients.. maybe CO[sub]2[/sub], if you do not have much surface movement. You shouldn't need to worry about either of those two, if you do regular water changes and aren't planning to do anything crazy.

 

[StandbySetting]

A single T5 running the length of the tank would be sufficient, even a single T8 with a reflector would be, the WPG rule was based on the old T12's which were very inefficient, T8's emit more useful light as there is less refraction and power wasted as heat, same with the T5's but more so, T5's are the most efficient of the 3 types of tube commonly available.

 

[Abyss]

I have a 36" single T5HO at the moment and have had no Vallis growth in my tank for over a year.

It doesn't die, it just doesn't grow. Maybe a little in height, but that is it.

Always thought this wouldn't be enough at 30" deep.

ps. of course I do water changes and I have a crap load of surface movement thanks to a wavemaker pointed upwards. The T5HO is one of those Hagen ones with super reflector.

 

[KittyKat]

I have a 36" single T5HO at the moment and have had no Vallis growth in my tank for over a year.

It doesn't die, it just doesn't grow. Maybe a little in height, but that is it.

Always thought this wouldn't be enough at 30" deep.

ps. of course I do water changes and I have a crap load of surface movement thanks to a wavemaker pointed upwards. The T5HO is one of those Hagen ones with super reflector.

Have you tried replanting it somewhere else in the tank? I once had it grow 5 cm tall at 1.2 WPG for about two years, moved it, and then it started growing normally again.

 

[StandbySetting]

I have a 36" single T5HO at the moment and have had no Vallis growth in my tank for over a year.

It doesn't die, it just doesn't grow. Maybe a little in height, but that is it.

Always thought this wouldn't be enough at 30" deep.

ps. of course I do water changes and I have a crap load of surface movement thanks to a wavemaker pointed upwards. The T5HO is one of those Hagen ones with super reflector.

This will depend on the tank volume, it may be case of lack of nutrients, also Vallis generally does better in hard water due to the higher carbonate content.

 

[Plecostomos Fan]

Is it possible to make a DIY reflector? say out of tin foil or something similar

 

[StandbySetting]

White reflects just as well as mirror, so a piece of guttering would be fine, they're not fantastic as they're not made for the shape of the tube, but they're not as good as purpose built reflectors.

 

[Plecostomos Fan]

White reflects just as well as mirror, so a piece of guttering would be fine, they're not fantastic as they're not made for the shape of the tube, but they're not as good as purpose built reflectors.

Good idea, if its cheap from my local diy store.