Newbie Advice On Plants & Lights

[supermonkey]

Hi everyone,

I posted in the new to hobby board and was advised to come in here and ask my questions on lights & plants-

I've been told I wont need lights on all day as the tank will get some day light. So in that case, cheap lighting should be all I need. Anyone got any recommendations? I was tempted by Aquaray LEDs & I did read that they might save me money!

Plants - I've seen good prices at plantsalive.co.uk here & here

Do these look ok? They don't have to be amazing, just easy to grow etc. Seems really cheap considering my local aquarium shop sells its cheapest plants at £5

Thanks!

 

[Duck and Dive]

I've found plants alive to be fairly good. If your LFS are selling plants for £5 get some from plants alive.

With lights aim to have them on for 6-8 hours a day during the day don't just rely on the sunlight, as your plants would just deteriorate dueto low lighting. Sunlight can also cause algea problems so make sure it is not in direct sunlight.

I am new to planted tanks as I only set up a proper one a few weeks back.

Someone back me up here.

 

[supermonkey]

I've found plants alive to be fairly good. If your LFS are selling plants for £5 get some from plants alive.

With lights aim to have them on for 6-8 hours a day during the day don't just rely on the sunlight, as your plants would just deteriorate dueto low lighting. Sunlight can also cause algea problems so make sure it is not in direct sunlight.

I am new to planted tanks as I only set up a proper one a few weeks back.

Someone back me up here.

thanks for that... i'll definatetly use them then. I also got a little advice on my main thread here

i know perhaps its a big ask, but if someone could help me find suitable lighting at a decent price i would be most grateful

 

[baron von bubba]

I've found plants alive to be fairly good. If your LFS are selling plants for £5 get some from plants alive.

With lights aim to have them on for 6-8 hours a day during the day don't just rely on the sunlight, as your plants would just deteriorate dueto low lighting. Sunlight can also cause algea problems so make sure it is not in direct sunlight.

I am new to planted tanks as I only set up a proper one a few weeks back.

Someone back me up here.

thanks for that... i'll definatetly use them then. I also got a little advice on my main thread here

i know perhaps its a big ask, but if someone could help me find suitable lighting at a decent price i would be most grateful

if you read up on the "walstad" method you will see sunlight is fine, if not recommended for that "style" of planted tank!

you dont say what tank you have so its hard to say what lighting would be best.
2 t8 tubes the length of the tank would be ideal on most low tech tanks tho

 

[supermonkey]

[/quote]
you dont say what tank you have so its hard to say what lighting would be best.
2 t8 tubes the length of the tank would be ideal on most low tech tanks tho
[/quote]

Its a tropical tank, 91cm long, 47 high and 25 deep. Where could I get the tubes and controller thing at a reasonable price?

Thanks

Update - have just commented on my other post. Lighting seems to be about £50, surely it'll be more economical to get AquaRays for £80?