do i have enough light?

[jimbooo]

Hi Everyone,

i have planted my 180L tank with about 10 plants of various sizes, i am trying to work out if i have enough light etc.

I have 2 30W tubes (arcadia Original tropical - plant growth, and marine white - vish viewing) both with reflectors. Tank depth is about 50cm.

Nitrate level: 12.5

i do have a big bubble wall as well, not sure if that is a problem

 

[Lateral Line]

You have 60 Watts over 180 liters, (~48 US), that is low light but not excruiatingly so. That said, there are many plants that will live in that light level. You don't say what plants you have however, so it is difficult to say if it is enough. Certainly if wanted to go for a well planted tank, it would be lacking.

Bubbles of any kind tend to agitate the surface which drives dissolved CO2 out of the water, again, for a seriously planted tank, they are a no-no.

 

[jimbooo]

the plants i have are medium light plants, not low light (dont know names, see pic). i want the tank to look its best so how do i get the light level up. i would ideally like to keep the existing lid on the tank. it has capacity for 2 30W tubes. sorry to be thick but how do i increace the light (i already have reflectors)

as to the bubbles, whithin 12 hours of turning them off the fishies are gasping at the surface (especially my 6 celebes rainbows). if i was to say switch them on for 12 hours and off for 12 hours is there any difference in effect at day or night (ie should they be off at night or in the day as far as the plants are concerned)?

 

[StarOrbs]

I doubt this will help but I have an air tube and a co2 tube in the tank and my readings for ph and such stays the same overnight whether the light is either on or off.

 

[Lateral Line]

Regular T5 and T8 fluorescent lamps have a length/Wattage relationship. Whilst you may find a few lamps that output slightly more light then others of the same wattage, you will have difficulty finding lamps of the same physical size, shape and terminations that will give you more Wattage. Be aware also, that starters tend to be rated for the lamp wattage, putting a higher wattage lamp on a starter can cause it to overheat, and it may not flash the lamp anyway.

Some of the plants in your tank are not true aqautic plants. Regardless of the light levels, these will not survive long.

If your fish are gasping without an airstone, you really need to find out why and correct that before worrying about your plants.