Light Levels

[noshybabs]

OK ive accepted i need new lights for my tanks, but i dont know how much i need,

I have a 100 litre with an 18 watt t8
and a 40 litre Nano, with an 18 watt strip, I dont know what this is? whatever they come with

What Watts/gallon am i aiming for?

 

[jaarus]

Something like:

WPG
1-2 low light tank
2-3 medium light tank
3-4 medium high light tank
4-5 high light tank
over 5 is very high light tank.

 

[DevUK]

Depends if you're going low-tech or high-tech. Its a question I have pondered and not gotten very far with

I think generally you want about 3 wpg. Theres a way to work out WPG but I can't remember of the top of my head... will have a hunt and find out.

 

[noshybabs]

SO if my maths is right

My 10 Galon tank has 1.8 watt per Gall
and my 25 Gal tank has 0.73ish per Gall

Not good! i think il tacle the problem of the nano tank first. Anyone else had any experince changing lights on these? what did youbuy?

 

[jaarus]

Also note that over over about 2 WPG you need CO2 to be added to balance out the demands on the planst with high light.
I thought I read on a previous thread that your nano was doing great? If so dont mess with it would be my advice, concentrate on your bigger tank which does have light limitations at the moment at 0.7 wpg ish.


WPG also gets a little more complex than a rule of them on tiny and massive tanks - never had either so cant recall exactly how it effects the rul butu I think - note think - that small tanks need less light due to the limited amount of depth the light has to penetrate.
Even reading that back to myself I am not sure if thats correct!

 

[noshybabs]

Also note that over over about 2 WPG you need CO2 to be added to balance out the demands on the planst with high light.
I thought I read on a previous thread that your nano was doing great? If so dont mess with it would be my advice, concentrate on your bigger tank which does have light limitations at the moment at 0.7 wpg ish.


WPG also gets a little more complex than a rule of them on tiny and massive tanks - never had either so cant recall exactly how it effects the rul butu I think - note think - that small tanks need less light due to the limited amount of depth the light has to penetrate.
Even reading that back to myself I am not sure if thats correct!

In comparison to the other tank it is amazing, but in comparison to some of the tanks ove seen on here its pathetic!