Lighting Advice

[Pepsidave85]

Hi there, complete noob here just after a bit of advice.

Recently set up a 35 litre freshwater tank (ambient) and just wanted some advice regarding the lighting. At the moment I have a 15W "sun-Glo" fluorescent in the tank.

I just wanna know if this light will promote plant growth? And if not, what will I need?

 

[frapadoodle]

Well you will find many opinions about what lights to use and how many lights.
For my part it is more a matter of lighting time. Although some plants need more light than others.
I have a four foot tank, with the cheap light I got with the tank and have a 12 hr. photoperiod.
I also have a 10gal. betta tank, the lights are on about 2 hrs., but it sits behind a table lamp and the plants are flourishing.
But you also need to consider ferts and co2.

 

[Deleted member 107737]

Ive not been in the hobby long, but this is my experience. 15W I think would be fine but would strongly recommend some fertaliser. I use the Nutrifin brand fert. My lights are not great but the plants flourish and grow like wono. The lights are on 4 hours in the morning and 4 hours at night.
 
make sure you get a pair of scissors to trim the plants as some of mine literaly hit the lid within say a couple of weeks. LOL
 
Good look and put your photo on a hosting site e.g. photob***ket then copy and paste the link on this page so we can have a look

 

[Pepsidave85]

Hi Thanks for the replies, will definitely look into some fertilizer. Will put some more pics up shortly, don't expect big things though, its only a little 35ltr tank with a few plants and a "Greek Ruins" ornament. Although, I am currently soaking some driftwood and plan to tie some moss to it over the next day or two.
 
Got a larger almost 'L' shaped piece which will go on the right hand side of the tank where there is a big open space, and a smaller straight piece which will go along the left hand side of the tank on the small strip of gravel.
 
Here is a picture of tank currently however. Comments on a postcard please for my fist attempt with anything like this I'm quite happy with it.
 

 

[Deleted member 107737]

very nice

 

[frapadoodle]

Lights look plenty bright.
I agree, the one corner is kind of bare. Otherwise looks good.