New Light Fixture

[cmb1177]

I'm going to get a new light fixture to start growing plants. I'd like to get as many watts per gallon I can without having to think about co2 (co2, maybe, eventually; but I want to start off small/basic). Am I correct in what I've read in this forum that less than 3 wpg will grow plants fine without co2? Would 2+wpg be alright, or should I be thinking less/more? Thanks!

 

[aaronnorth]

i would be thinking around 1.5wpg of T8

What size tank is it?

 

[cmb1177]

i would be thinking around 1.5wpg of T8

What size tank is it?

I'm not totally sure. It's an older tank with a flat back and hex front, and I haven't been able to figure it out, for definite, but when I measured it as if it were a rectangle, it comes to about 25 (us) gallons. So I guess it could be estimated around 22, or so.

 

[SuperColey1]

I'm with Aaron here:

Maximum without CO2 - 1.5WPG T8, 1.25WPG PC, <1WPG T5

AC

 

[aaronnorth]

I would go with either

30-36w of T8

20w of T5

Personal choice being the T8 as the wpg rule is more accurate (T5 tends to double the outcome!)