Changing Tank Size

[fry_lover]

I am upgrading my community planted set-up from a 47x17x14 (approx 180 litres / 40 Gallons UK) to a 48x20x20 (approx 300 litres / 67 gallons UK).

On my original tank i have x3 bulbs giving a total of 68-watts, i make this 1.7 watts-per-gallon (UK) or 1.4 (US) - this is considered "low lighting" in terms of watts-per-gallon and planted aquaria which suprises me as its quite bright actually!!!

My new tank is a Juwel and i only have x2 bulbs to play with, normally in a Juwel tank this size each bulb is 38-watts, this will mean 1.2 watts-per-gallon (UK) or 1.0 (US)

My plants are mostly ones that do well in "lower lighting" such as Java Fern, Moss, Anubia and Onion Plant, HOWEVER i dont really want to go down in my watts-per-gallon ratio

What should i / could i do?

Shall i replace the standard Juwel 38-watt bulbs with something different and more powerful, if so what? Anyone got any "names" or "links"

By the way the bulbs in the Juwel are 42" long

I use reflectors already and plan to continue using them

Thanks

 

[cheesy feet]

I would see how it goes in the first month, then if your not happy with growth or the plants are dieing you can think about upgrading your lights.Power compact T5's may be the way.