Lighting

[James9114]

Im planning on getting a 54 litre aquarium and im wondering what lighting will be best for a planted aquarium non co2 and low light. Are there any good tiles as i want it open top? Any ideas would be great.

Cheers James

 

[DrRob]

What are the dimensions of the tank?

 

[James9114]

60 L 30 D 30 H cm

 

[Ps3Steveo]

By tiles are you after LED tiles as LED's give off a lot more light than tubes?

 

[James9114]

well im not going to be adding ferts either just plant substrate so i take it i would be wanting low lights if i got that right. If tiles are not an option i just want it open top mainly, what u think?

 

[Ps3Steveo]

I'm not up to scratch on current aquarium lighting but if your going no CO2 no ferts then you want low light, like a 15W 2ft tube.

 

[James9114]

Is this even possible to do or will the plants just die off? Am i best dosing ferts.

 

[DrRob]

Some plants will grow in almost no light, they tend to be the slowest growing, and often the longest standing in the hobby.

The more light, the more need for ferts. Generally it's not a bad idea to dose the micronutrients in any planted tank. A 15W T8 tube would certainly foot the bill, or similar in other tubes, like the arcpod lights.

Depending on how you're mounting it, you may find that the 15W, 18" tube fits better.

 

[James9114]

I think those arc pods are looking like the best choice from what i have seen so far but think i would need 2 of them.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

An 11W single would do you.

 

[James9114]

What about the 18w ellipse arcadia

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Thats fine too.