light question

[seantheprawn]

hi all

you know the way everyone is sayin ur lights should range from like 5000-6700k or something like that.

but what i want to know is, does ur light have to have a range like that.

coz i want to go doesn to the lfs and by a aquarium light, but it dont have the Kelvin thing listed on the box, its just a plain fluro white light.

so would this still grow plants, its like 80 Watts for my 168L

so dfo u think thats enough for plants?

 

[abstract]

well, even if you don't take the kelvin temp into consideration that is still only 80 watts over 50 gallons....or 1.6 watts per gallon...if anything will grow, only very low light plants will...match the low wattage with an incorrect temp and you probably wont have much luck, sorry

 

[seantheprawn]

ok well i got my old 36w light working, so that means i will have 116watts for about 50 galls

is this enough?

and im still wondering about my first question aswelll



cheers

 

[George Farmer]

1.6 Watts per Gallon is fine for a lot of plants. I have had success with as little a 1 WPG (in fact I have won a previous Tank of the Month competetion with it).
link - http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=37983

You could easily grow Java fern/moss, Anubias species, Crypts, Sagittaria and Amazon Swords. You could possibly have success with Vallisneria, Ludwigia and Hygrophila species. In summary if you have a good substrate, decent water quality, not too much surface agitation (to prevent CO2 loss) then you should have success with most species. Another point is that your tank quite large and the WPG rule tends to be more "leanient" with larger volumes.

With 1 .6 WPG you won't require CO2 although it will benefit. Use reflectors for maximum efficiency. I suspect your tubes will suffice for the above mentioned species, you could always upgrade later if you so desire.

If you intend on using your extra lighting then I would consider CO2 injection.

Try this link for a more detailed view on lighting.

http/rexgrigg.com/light.htm

Hope this helps and good luck.

 

[abstract]

either way you look at it, though, 1.6 wpg at 6500k and 1.6wpg at 10,000k are gonna lead to completely different results....they are also asking about the kelvin temp....you really should find out what it is, because it really may not be ideal for your plants

 

[George Farmer]

either way you look at it, though, 1.6 wpg at 6500k and 1.6wpg at 10,000k are gonna lead to completely different results....they are also asking about the kelvin temp....you really should find out what it is, because it really may not be ideal for your plants

Fair point. It is important to use the correct type bulb. I would guess though that as long as they're not actinic then they should be ok for easy plants as suggested.

I have heard of and experienced positive results with bulbs ranging from 2800K to 14000K. Too much emphasis is placed on color temps alone - one manufacturer's 6500K bulb will differ in spectral output to another manufacturers. Unfortunately, the spectrum can not be expressed in one number, besides as long as you stay away from actinics and really high blue-content then light output (watt/lumen/lux/good reflector) is more important than the exact spectrum.

So what I'm saying is that I would guess that Sean's tubes should do fine. What is written on the tubes Sean?

 

[Angry_Platy]

I have dual 6500K/10000K compact fluoros on my planted tank and the plants grow like crazy with brilliant greens (I also have 3.2wpg, I inject CO2 and use fertiliser weekly)

 

[Silly me]

seantheprawn

I would like to add that I have grown some plants under normal cool white (4100K) tubes, I used close to 6wpg on my 55g to get almost the same growth as I now have with 2.8wpg full spectrum lights.

the temp of the light makes a huge difference in plant growth..

Hagen makes a 2800K tube.. but this light DOESNT compare to a warm white 2700K light you by at the hardware store.

 

[seantheprawn]

so with all this should i buy the light?

coz lets be honest, aslong as its a decent wattage, a light will grow plants, because in the wild theres just the sun, so ill prolly get the lights, n with 116 watts for 168L. i should think that would be enough to keep s few plants alive no matter what all the kelvin etc is.


as all i wanna do is keep about 10 - 15 plants in my tank, just to add a nice bit of green to it.


so thanx for all the confusing advice

 

[abstract]

coz lets be honest, aslong as its a decent wattage, a light will grow plants, because in the wild theres just the sun

JUST the sun? the sun is made to grow plants and exceeds any bulb that can be created....thats why many people in tropical environments have very nice planted tanks w/o using any lights at all, besides the sun....plant lights are made to mimmick the sun....household lights are not...simple

so thanx for all the confusing advice

youre welcome i guess...take it as you will...google is your best friend

 

[George Farmer]

so thanx for all the confusing advice

Welcome to the world of planted aquaria!

 

[abstract]

so thanx for all the confusing advice

Welcome to the world of planted aquaria!

lol!