Planted Lighting Question

[kingfet]

Hello all I am a complete newbie at planted tanks, although I maintained a marine reef system for two years. I am going to setup a planted tank but have a question on lighting. I attempted to read through the lighting guide but it did not answer my question.

I have a 50/50 eclipse compact lighting strip that would give my tank 2 watts per gallon. I am not sure of the spectrum of the lighting fixture would this be appropriate for a planted tank?

 

[mlawson]

2 watts per gallon is fine for most plants. If you want quicker growth then maybe upgrading to 3-4 watts would be good, although that's when the algae comes.....

 

[Themuleous]

You need to change the 50/50 tube, it'll encourage algae. Get one designed to help plants grow. The Arcadia freshwater would be a good alternative.

Sam

 

[nicklfire]

Ideal lighting would be around 2.4wpg higher depending on what type of plants you want. Lighting spectrum you'll be wanting a bulb at 6700k instead of the 10000k which is what you marine guys use.

Coralife has some great fixtures out there.