Lighting change

[Sunny.C]

I have got a quite for light tubes, 20w upto 10000k output. Is this good for plants?

 

[Grey Legion]

The K rating is to high plants need only up to 6700K the rest will go unsed by the plants but not by algae..

 

[Sunny.C]

ok so basically i have to look for lights between 5000-6700 output???
Also how will i control the algae?

 

[seantheprawn]

also what if u dont know the k range or its below the recomended range

does that still grow plants?

 

[Grey Legion]

ok so basically i have to look for lights between 5000-6700 output???
Also how will i control the algae?

The K range of 5500 - 6700 is reported to best for growing freshwater plants, since you are stating you have low wattage having the correct K range may help.

It has been stated that some forms of algae actually use the higher K range of light (the parts the plant does not use ). Algae will always be present in any planted tank, so making sure you have the correct light source is a key way to help minimize algae.

 

[Sunny.C]

i have 1 bristle nose in the tank, will this minimize algae and also what's another good algae eater.

 

[Sunny.C]

For my tank i can only get 10000k lights, what should i do?

 

[Mr Miagi]

For my tank i can only get 10000k lights, what should i do?

I personally wouldnt worry about it. If they are all you can get go for them!
I have an 18,000K bulb.... ) And my plants BOOM! ! !

My tank with a single bulb 18,000K 30W and its 30gal. (Thats 1W per gal.!! JK! )

It depends on what plants you are growing. If your aiming for low light recquiring plants, dont stress! But if you want a really planted tank like gf225 id suggest reading a bit more on alternate light sources!

 

[Sunny.C]

I have a tall 34g tank, what plants you recommend for me? (community setup).

 

[Sunny.C]

Btw your tank looks beautiful, what have you got in there? whats the fish at top left red & black?

 

[seantheprawn]

they look like a school of harlequin rasobara.

lol sorry if its mispronounced, i cant spell it of the top of my head.

but dont count on my word, knowing my fish judgement there probably 7 inch ciclids

oh and by the way, absolutely stunning tank, 1 watt per gallon!? have you got that thing pumped full of CO2 and fertillisers?

 

[Mr Miagi]

Yes, your are right seantheprawn! They are Harliquins!
Here is TFF;s fish profile on the if you want to find out a bit more! -
Harliquin rasbora

Deffinately go for plants which recquire less light. Species such as hygrophila polysperma, java moss, java fern, ambulias, vallis, and you could have a floating plant or two like duck weed or riccia!

Here is one of my favourite links...its called plant geek and has some great info. Look around the 'Low', 'medium low' and "Medium" plant groups from the link following and you should get some idea of what works!

Remember, buy plants that suite your water conditions. They should be treated just like fish. A brakish plant will not survive in freshwater!

Plant geek!

 

[Sunny.C]

The thing i don't understand is if i have tubes that are stronger than i need, why do i need to go for plants that require more lighting?

 

[Sunny.C]

BTW i just thought i should add in my tank takes 2 tubes, so that will be 2x10000k. Is this ok or should i turn on say 4 hours left side 4 hours right side a day???

 

[tear-scar]

I wish I'd caught this thread sooner . . .

Sunny, K has nothing to do with the amount of light (lumens) your tank is getting. Kelvin is simply the type (range) of light your tank is getting.

Second, Grey is a bit off on "5500 - 6700 is reported to best for growing freshwater plants." 10,000k is very good for plants, possibly even better than 5500-6700. People are finding that the 9000-10,000 bulbs might actually be ideal. Amano stands behind a kelvin that is in the 9000's.

Only 2x20 tubes might be too little for a 34g but you can grow low light plants in there successfully. good luck.