Lighting

[shrimply]

I just read that large tanks don't need as much light so as most of you know I have just bought a big project( for my first planted tank it might be a bit OTT but time will tell) At the minute after I replace the bulb I broke during transit I will have about 60w of light. The tank is 60 gallons, 4ft by 18" by 18". I was going to add 4x 55w interpet T5s once I had saved up but may be I don't need that much. Can some one please tell me how much light the reletively demanding plants will need in such a tank. I know that it will depend what the other factors are like but I don't have that info yet.

Thanks.

 

[zig]

Well 60 gallons wouldnt really be in the big tank league as regards lighting 90 and upwards would be nearer the mark, so the WPG guideline will still apply, your tank is 67 US gallons or 56 UK imperial gallons but the WPG guideline is measured in US gallons, somewhere around 2 to 3 WPG would be about right, dont be tempted to go for loads of light if this is your first planted tank, algae problems can soon take the wind out of your sails, and anyway its possible to do great things with less light, look at gfs tank for instance running with just over 2 WPG, and definatly dont go with a lot of light if you dont have pressurised CO2, and keep in mind the jury is still out on the new improvements Interpet have made, most of us that used the CF 55 watt have had problems.