Light Recommendations For 31" Deep

Tstone

Fish Fanatic
Joined
Nov 21, 2011
Messages
116
Reaction score
0
Location
Dayton, Ohio
I have a 48x18x31" 110 gallon freshwater aquarium.. I'd like to get live plants and I'm hearing that my lights are not sufficient enough.. I have 2 40 watt T8's..
Also, I have no idea of what exact plants I want yet.. Havent' even seen what the LFS has!
What would you guys recommend as far as lighting?
 
2 to 3 watts per gallon is the norm for a high spec tank.
 
I have a 48x18x31" 110 gallon freshwater aquarium.. I'd like to get live plants and I'm hearing that my lights are not sufficient enough.. I have 2 40 watt T8's..
Also, I have no idea of what exact plants I want yet.. Havent' even seen what the LFS has!
What would you guys recommend as far as lighting?


2 to 3 watts per gallon is the norm for a high spec tank.

Whilst Tribalbrit is classically correct, the watts per gallon (wpg) rule is very outdated and applies specifically to T12 bulbs with average reflectors.

With your tank, more important to ask is what is your budget, do you want high or low tech (high = loads of light, CO2, ferts added, low = less lighting, no additional CO2/ferts), finally, what kind of plants are you looking for? tall stem plants? Big leaves, small leaves? Short carpet? something to attach to hardscape? these are all questions that will help generate a decent answer. Also, what is the current stocking? certain plants will get eaten by certain fish, some will get uprooted etc etc.

Finally, budget. the more hightech, the more expensive. So some idea of budget may allow people to rule out certain ideas.

I would say though that with that depth, you will need to be looking at PAR readings quite closely, (PAR = Photosynthetically Active Radiation) PAR tends to drop off quite rapidly through water due to particulates and just general absorbance.

So, sorry for asking you questions rather than answering, but I think this will be the best way. Also, picture of the current set up please? May throw up a few ideas from the pros :good:
 
I have got a 36" deep and using 4 x 39w T5's mate......do you have a pic of your tank ?
 
I have a 48x18x31" 110 gallon freshwater aquarium.. I'd like to get live plants and I'm hearing that my lights are not sufficient enough.. I have 2 40 watt T8's..
Also, I have no idea of what exact plants I want yet.. Havent' even seen what the LFS has!
What would you guys recommend as far as lighting?


2 to 3 watts per gallon is the norm for a high spec tank.

Whilst Tribalbrit is classically correct, the watts per gallon (wpg) rule is very outdated and applies specifically to T12 bulbs with average reflectors.

With your tank, more important to ask is what is your budget, do you want high or low tech (high = loads of light, CO2, ferts added, low = less lighting, no additional CO2/ferts), finally, what kind of plants are you looking for? tall stem plants? Big leaves, small leaves? Short carpet? something to attach to hardscape? these are all questions that will help generate a decent answer. Also, what is the current stocking? certain plants will get eaten by certain fish, some will get uprooted etc etc.

Finally, budget. the more hightech, the more expensive. So some idea of budget may allow people to rule out certain ideas.

I would say though that with that depth, you will need to be looking at PAR readings quite closely, (PAR = Photosynthetically Active Radiation) PAR tends to drop off quite rapidly through water due to particulates and just general absorbance.

So, sorry for asking you questions rather than answering, but I think this will be the best way. Also, picture of the current set up please? May throw up a few ideas from the pros :good:

Budget... Not totally sure lol.. Depends if I need it, or what.. plus christmas is coming up so shoot me some ideas...
low tech and high tech.... noooo idea.. preferably low so I do not have to do w/ co2..
plants... I'd like maybe some tall ones in the back, like really tall, and then some reaaaaal short ones in the front.. like 3-5 inches..
big leaves small leaves.... don't really care, just whatever looks good.. not too picky
short carpet and something to attach to hardscape.... no clue what either of those mean....... current stocking is a couple broken ornaments I recieved when ordering ornaments online until they send me new ones, along with a normal plec, red tail shark, and bala shark... stocking plaaaans are catfish, catfish, and catfish.. pictus', bumble bee's, spotted and striped raphaels.. and then i wanna start looking into some more middle and top dwellers..

But no problem with your answer.. I know now that you'll be able to help me a little bit more.. I'll edit this post in a bout 5 minutes with a picture of my tank


2011-12-08_10-46-29_96.jpg
 
a normal plec, red tail shark, and bala shark... stocking plaaaans are catfish, catfish, and catfish.. pictus', bumble bee's, spotted and striped raphaels.. and then i wanna start looking into some more middle and top dwellers..
Off topic: you are going to have problems with those plans, they're no good for the fish and the tank is not big enough for some of the fish.
 
What makes you say that? It's only 4' long and 18" wide - forget about the height/total volume - thats a lot of large active and/or territorial fish.

Common plec easily gets the same width of that tank and is very messy + potentially territorial, pictus very active shoaling catfish that will grow over 6", bumblebees shy and reclusive and the raphaels unfussy but still a decent size, clumsy and ossibly territorial with hiding spaces. Then already planning more fish on top of that? :huh:

Forget about a nice planted scape with all those big clumsy catfish messing everything up- stick to Anubias, Java fern etc on rocks/wood/ornaments. Those are low-light plants, your current light will be fine.

If you still intend on this stocking, don't waste any money on lights! Any extra light on the tank will just contribute to algae, and the fish you have listed prefer dim lighting anyway. Spend it on a massive filter or two...or three lol. A Fluval FX5's would be good to start with, but plan on adding more as the fish grow.

Never underestimate how much a large and healthy catfish will poop...

Personally, I would just re-think the stocking.

edit: Just saw the red tail shark in your tank! Yet another chunky 6" aggressively territorial fish species - limiting you even more.
 
What makes you say that? It's only 4' long and 18" wide - forget about the height/total volume - thats a lot of large active and/or territorial fish.

Common plec easily gets the same width of that tank and is very messy + potentially territorial, pictus very active shoaling catfish that will grow over 6", bumblebees shy and reclusive and the raphaels unfussy but still a decent size, clumsy and ossibly territorial with hiding spaces. Then already planning more fish on top of that? :huh:

Forget about a nice planted scape with all those big clumsy catfish messing everything up- stick to Anubias, Java fern etc on rocks/wood/ornaments. Those are low-light plants, your current light will be fine.

If you still intend on this stocking, don't waste any money on lights! Any extra light on the tank will just contribute to algae, and the fish you have listed prefer dim lighting anyway. Spend it on a massive filter or two...or three lol. A Fluval FX5's would be good to start with, but plan on adding more as the fish grow.

Never underestimate how much a large and healthy catfish will poop...

Personally, I would just re-think the stocking.

edit: Just saw the red tail shark in your tank! Yet another chunky 6" aggressively territorial fish species - limiting you even more.

I know the plec will eventually outgrow my aquarium, but by then I plan on being ready to buy something larger.. But i'm sorry, and I don't tend to argue as all of you guys help me way to much and I don't want anyone on my badside, but that is my plan on stocking /: I currently have two Tetra ex70's, which are good for up to 70g, both filtering 340gph.. but I want "large, territorial, and aggressive" fish.. Well as large, territorial, and agressive as my aquarium will allow..
 
Also, do I need anything for my plants once I get them? Say if I get java fern and anubias, do I need anything else?
 
As three-fingers said, + Balas are schooling, so you should get it at least 5 mates if you plan to upgrade the tank. My own experience with Balas is that they look stunted even in an 8*3*3 ft tank.

If you go for Anubias and Java fern, you don't need anything at all, just be sure that the rhizomes are above the substrate and the plants are tied or glued very securely to decor. A decent amount of suitable superglue is probably your best option, followed by rubber bands.
 
I know the plec will eventually outgrow my aquarium, but by then I plan on being ready to buy something larger.. But i'm sorry, and I don't tend to argue as all of you guys help me way to much and I don't want anyone on my badside, but that is my plan on stocking /: I currently have two Tetra ex70's, which are good for up to 70g, both filtering 340gph.. but I want "large, territorial, and aggressive" fish.. Well as large, territorial, and agressive as my aquarium will allow..
No worries, I'm certainly not going to argue - its your tank to set-up how you wish! :good:

However, in parting I'd like to point out that you have already been advised on how large, territorial and aggressive fish should be for your tank - much, much less so than the species you have selected - and you plan on going against this free advice.

This means any resulting fish deaths/illnesses or other problems/disasters are entirely on you...so for the sake of your fish, good luck :). I hope with further research, you change your mind.
 
Tstone Get Valesneria for the back, amazon swords for the middle and use anubias and java fern for front. Also keep one area free where you check fish conditions properly, also if you can read about aquascaping, it will help you a lot.

The stocking...thing is off topic, but the guys are Correct, give it another thought. When your pet dies, it causes a LOT of pain. :huh: :look:
 
What are your guys' recommendations as far as stocking? Like take one of them away, or what?
 

Most reactions

Back
Top