Lighting for new tank

[heresmike]

OK. I've got a 90 gallon on order (48" x 18" x 25" top to bottom). I'm going to be ordering power compact fluorescent lights for it. My options are 130 watts, or 260 watts, and my question is which to go with if I want plants that require bright light.

I think I've heard that bright light plants need something like 3 watts per gallon... is this true? In my current tanks I have low light plants that are doing very well in around 3/4 watt per gallon.

Lighting experts... what do you think? Is the 3 watt per gallon a valid rule and should I go with the 260 watts?? Or will my fish need sunglasses with that much light?

 

[Chasing Puck]

A lot will depend on the fish and the plants. There are many plants that will not live in low light conditions, and there are some fish that will freak out if they don't have cover from bright lights. I would go with the higher watt lights if you are serious about wanting plants with high light needs, and will be supplemeting CO2 and fertilizing. If you want plants like crypts, anubias, and java fern, the 130 will be adequate, and you won't need to supplement very many nutrients.