How Many Watts Of Lighting Do I Need?

[stuhyde]

I'm thinking about 200W ish, maybe more?

Its a 5ft tank, 330L or 62.5 gallons (note these are english units).

What lights or tubes etc are best to go for, I am kinda on a budget but want decent results. I will be putting in some live plants also.

Thanks!

 

[WILDER]

On some sites you need a 300 watt heater.

 

[fatheadminnow]

If you go with 200W and have live plants, you are going to have to inject Co2.

I would suggest no more than 120W, that is if you do not want to inject Co2.

T8 tubes, or T5 light tubes are probably your best bet.

EDIT: 200w as in lights or heater?

-FHM

 

[WILDER]

Sorry read it wrong thought it said heater lol.

 

[fifefish]

there asking about lighting not heating

 

[fatheadminnow]

-FHM

 

[Truck]

you would only need 120 watts of T8 and you would need to inject CO2 if you have plants, if your not having plants 60 watts will do

 

[aaronnorth]

i would go with no more than 90w of T5, or 120w of T8 so you dont have to inject CO2.
If you are considering injecting CO2 then 150w-200w will be ok.

 

[mark.w.jones]

If CO2 injection worries you there are a few liquid alternatives which need adding daily instead. Doesn't work out too expensive either. I use this one and at £15 per litre which would last you about 140 days, I think its a good alternative.

http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?...roducts_id=2988

 

[stuhyde]

Wow, thanks for the replies people.

Yeah, heating is sorted, I've got 2 x 150W heaters for each side of the tank.

Dont really want to have to inject co2, unless its really beneficial? ALso would have to spend more on lighting.

 

[fatheadminnow]

If you have 200 watts, and inject Co2, all it is going to do is male your plants grow faster.

Your plants will be healthy and just fine with a lower level of light and no Co2. They will just grow a little slower.

-FHM

 

[stuhyde]

Cool.

So what you reckon, will I need 2 tubes, or get away with one?

 

[stuhyde]

boing!

 

[fatheadminnow]

I would say aim for around a 100 watts of light, this will depend on how big your light tubes are.

-FHM

 

[SuperColey1]

2 full length T8s will be borderline pressurised CO2 IMO

AC