Lighting Query For A New Set-Up

[Jim3k]

Hi everyone.

I'm about to start keeping tropical fish as a hobby and have been reading as much as I can on this forum to get some much needed advice. I've ordered a 200L tank and I'm currently planning to build up equipment over the next few weeks before setting everything up and planning on which fish to keep.

At this stage the Eheim 2213 seems to be a really well reviewed external filter and the dealer has thrown in a 20Ow thermo heater, but one thing I'm not really sure about is the lighting.

I'm planning on starting out with some hardy community fish to build up experience and then in time look to add more varieties. I'd also like to keep live plants. I know it's not an easy question (as things can vary depending on types of fish and plants), but does anyone have any advice about the best lightning set-ups, what wattage and number of bulbs I'd need for a 200L tank? I've found a lot of contrasting information across the internet and I'm a bit confused about the type of bulbs available.

Any advice would be much appreciated on lighting and anything to do as a newbie : )

Thanks.

 

[cambojnr]

Hi everyone.

I'm about to start keeping tropical fish as a hobby and have been reading as much as I can on this forum to get some much needed advice. I've ordered a 200L tank and I'm currently planning to build up equipment over the next few weeks before setting everything up and planning on which fish to keep.

At this stage the Eheim 2213 seems to be a really well reviewed external filter and the dealer has thrown in a 20Ow thermo heater, but one thing I'm not really sure about is the lighting.

I'm planning on starting out with some hardy community fish to build up experience and then in time look to add more varieties. I'd also like to keep live plants. I know it's not an easy question (as things can vary depending on types of fish and plants), but does anyone have any advice about the best lightning set-ups, what wattage and number of bulbs I'd need for a 200L tank? I've found a lot of contrasting information across the internet and I'm a bit confused about the type of bulbs available.

Any advice would be much appreciated on lighting and anything to do as a newbie : )

Thanks.

T8 light will be good if you dont plan on growing red plants but will be fine for most spiecies of plant

 

[Noahs ark6]

For a very low light tank- 40-90 watts (would only be suitable for mosses/ferns)
Medium- 91- 160 watts
High- 161+
For a tank that size. (this doesnt account for LEDS)

The kind of lighting depends on your budget. Metal halide lights are expensive but are very bright, great for keeping any plant (very un-eco friendly)

A standard bulb setup (t8/t5)- relatively cheap, t5 especially are good for plant growth.

LEDS- very eco friendly, can be very expensive or relatively cheap, produce no heat, good for plant growth



I would personally go for a standard t5 bulb setup (a hagen aqua glow setup)
Two of these with four of any (according to tank inhabitants) 54w t5, aqua glo tubes. 216watts is a very good wattage and will be sufficient to grow high light / red plants