Lighting

[sic0198]

What kind of lighting would I need for a FW Planted tank? And are these expensive?

 

[aaronnorth]

do you mean kelvin temperature?

you can use any kelvin as it makes no difference to the plants, 6700k is the closest to sunlight and thereofre shows off a wider range of colours in plants & fish, lower K rating means the tubes are pinker, higher K rating means the tubes are blue-er.

or do you mean wattage?

there are a few plants that can survive with 1wpg, as you move up to 1.5wpg you will find you can grow more plants easier, and still without the need for CO2 injection, and less fertilisation. Although adding it will still improve growth. Asyou get to 2wpg, this means you will start to need CO2 injection, and more nutrients dosed.

toatl watts / total US gallons = wpg.

T5 more or less doubles the overallr figure.

Here are cheap tubes: [URL="http/www.lampspecs.co.uk/Light-Bulbs-Tub...uorescent-Tubes"]http/www.lampspecs.co.uk/Light-Bulbs-Tub...uorescent-Tubes[/URL]

and the colour of the above tubes: [URL="http/www.theplantedtank.co.uk/lighting.htm"]http/www.theplantedtank.co.uk/lighting.htm[/URL]

 

[Colin_T]

The height of the tank should also be considered. You require more light for tall tanks compared to shallow tanks. T8 fluoros (common fluoro lights) are useful for tanks up to 18inches high. T5 globes can be used in tanks that are 2ft high. If the tank is more than 2ft high then you should go for metal halide lights.