How Do I Light A Homemade Tank? Wattage, Bulb Types And That.

[aitchvee]

BUT IT'S NOT!!!

Hi. I've just built a tank 306 x 312 x 600mm (including glass thickness of 6mm).

Its capacity is 54 litres, 14.27 US gallons and 11.88 imperial gallons.

I'm going to keep bettas (using a tank divider) and possibly a couple of AD frogs or glass shrimp. I'll also have it fairly well planted.

I found these on Ebay:

HAGEN POWERGLO FLUORESCENT TUBES 18" 15 watt LIGHT BULB

HAGEN AQUAGLO FLUORESCENT TUBES 15" 14 watt LIGHT BULB

Would they be suitable for putting in the hood that my dad will (hopefully!) build?

Many thanks for your help.

 

[SkiFletch]

With the goals you mentioned in mind, yes they'll do just fine

 

[aitchvee]

Excellent. My plans are complete! Thank you.

Contradictions, opinions welcome!

 

[darkwolf29a]

15 and 14 W bulbs are what I run in my tanks. The thing to keep in mind is that the light isn't very strong, so certain plants won't work. You'll need to stick to the lower light ones. The rule of thumb is 2W per gallon minimum for plant growth, you're only adding up 1W per gallon. I usually run the sure grow bulbs in my tanks...I just haven't branched out much in the plant department yet.