hi, i have just got my 60 imp Gallons tank, and it has 2x40w t8. i need more light but the arcadia i bar is too expensive and doesnt come with bulbs. i have a arcadia 30w ballast (starter unit!). i have a t6 in my other tank that i could move accross, its 30w but i would aslo add another so i have 60w t6 and 80w t8. (140w total) is this enough for a low to medium planted tank? i will dose tpn and easy carbo and will have a substrate fertiliser under the gravel.
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That much light should be enough for things like anubias and java fern. It will not be medium light but low light plants should be OK.
To get to medium light would take at least 140 watts in my estimation. Others will give you numbers a little higher or lower but I would say at least that much.
aaronnorth
www.ukaps.org
oldman47 do you mean 140w of extra light? Because that means he will be on 4wpg+
He is already on 2wpg which is plenty for medium light plants
How deep is the tank?
He is already on 2wpg which is plenty for medium light plants
How deep is the tank?
aaronnorth
www.ukaps.org
T6 ahould be fine, are you wanting any carpeting plants? it is when you get to 60cm that troubles arise.
aaronnorth
www.ukaps.org
java moss will cope fine,
more light = more groeth & more CO2 & nutrients, so it is up to you, it will be fine with just the one T6 though.
more light = more groeth & more CO2 & nutrients, so it is up to you, it will be fine with just the one T6 though.
i have seen a arcadia2x54w T5 really cheap on a fish site. so i might get that, get a couple of tubes from lampspecs and bingo. so i will have the option of 2x40w T8, 2x54w t5 1x30w t6. they will all be on individaul starters so i dont have to have them on at all times, e.g simulate a midday burst. i have TPN and will get some TPN+ as thats better. i have aquabasis under my black gravel and then it will be just a case of the co2. i might get the 5kg extinguiser and that should last me.
aaronnorth
www.ukaps.org
If they are HOT5 then that wil be fine on its own. That is 1.8wpg and HOT5 usually doubles it, it is also a large tank which means it is more leanient so you will be more like 3wpg 
Make sure you get the CO2 running first though otherwise you will get algae.
Make sure you get the CO2 running first though otherwise you will get algae.
I figured that 60 imp gallons is about 75 US gallons. To get to 2 WPG would mean a total of 150W but all my rounding off meant I would call 140W a medium light level. That is the total, not what to add. For things like java moss, anubias, java fern and similar low light plants, you could probably get by with 80W total or even slightly less.
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