Lighting

[fenwoman]

I have a normal daylight tube on my tank at present and don't like it. It is too bright. To the fish it must seem like they are in briliant daylight at the time. Years ago, I had something called a grolux bulb and I seem to remember that it wasn't as stark. What other light can I use to ensure the health and growth of plants? Should I get a moonlight light and use that instead or for part of the day? Or should I get a shorter tube? The tank is 4 feet long and the tube I have in is 42". Perhaps a 3 foot tube would allow the far ends to be shadowy?

 

[jgray152]

Well you need from what I here atleast 2 watts per gallon for plants to thrive. Dimmer light may not penatrate the water is good. Even though it will light up the tank, the plants won't get the spectrum needed.

Im no expert here so hopfully someone can step in and shed some light on this.

 

[ox5477]

I would ask in the plant and planted tank forum as they would prob have the most knowledge towards growing a healthy and virbrant planting in your tank.

From my take, in general, 2W/G is def a good rule. This covers the right requirements for most tanks and most plants. But you can get away with lower wattage lighting in your tank, just have to plant with plants that prefer lower light. In my 55G I have a 40W 14K T10 tube and it is working fine for the swords I have in there. Its only been about 3 weeks since I got them but they still look green and vibrant. This bulb also expells light in a blue tone so it's softer on the eyes and prob on the eyes of your fish as well. True, it prob doesn't penetrate as deep as my original daylight bulb that came with the fixture does, but it still reaches 20" of depth it needs to for my application.

 

[jgray152]

I find swords are the easiest plant to grow. I have one that has been growing for about 10 years or so? So its really big.