Still confused on lighting

[illusion54]

I read a ton of stuff on lighting for plants, but theres so much variety and selection when it comes to lighting and this is my first planted aquarium and i would like to get it right the first time.

So, I'm in need of a 24" bulb for my aquarium. What is BEST?

Thanks alot,
Mitch

 

[zig]

Ok tell us the dimensions of your tank and how many gallons it holds.

 

[abstract]

start here, let us know what else you need to know!

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=96754

 

[illusion54]

Yes, i did read about lighting, but like i said i still dont know what to get.

My tank is a 29 gallon and the hood of the tank is capable of holding 1 24" bulb, which currently is holding a 20 watt.

 

[utahfish]

the most wattage they make for a 24" fluorescent bulb is 20 watts. if you want more watts then you'll have to get different lighting or more lights. if you want to grow plants other than low light plants you'll need to get different lighting or more lights. if your sattisfied with low light plants and no co2 supplementation then i suggest getting an all glass top and buying another 24" light strip. that way you'll have two 20 watt fluorescent bulbs giving you 40 watts which is 1.3 watts/gallon.

if you want more light you'll have to look in to compact fluorescents, metal hailides or DIY lights.

 

[abstract]

well you're shooting for 2 wpg, so you need to get something that will give you that...i.e. compact fluroescent

 

[illusion54]

what about something like this? would it work?

bulb with 75 watts 24"

 

[zig]

If your hood is big enough to hold a 24" tube than definatly a T5 compact flourescant will also fit, a 55watt Interpet daylight tube with light fitting is approx 23-24 inches maximum, that will give you 2 watts per gallon, good enough for low to medium light plants.

 

[abstract]

well, they're asking what is the best single 24" bulb for their current hood i guess....unfortunately what you're not seeing illusion is that 20 watts is the max you will be able to get out of that single fluorescent bulb...

compact fluroscent is the next step up and will let you have more wattage for the same length bulbs, but you will need a different hood...

next step up after that is VHO, which is the link you showed us...that requires a different, VHO ballast/hood....will NOT work with a fluroescent ballast/hood

these are all differnt types of bulbs

 

[zig]

Atinic tubes are really for marine setups, they have to much light in the blue spectrum, i looked at all of the tubes in that link and some are suitable for planted tanks but none of them are higher than 20 watts for a 24" fitting.

So you have 2 choices

1. Fit another tube alongside your existing tube this will require a ballast also, this will still only get you 40 watts in total.

2. Fit a T5 compact flourescant (you will get either a 54watt or a 55 watt depends on the brand to fit your hood ) for this you will also need a ballast, and basically buy a 20 watt tube of the right spectrun for your existing light, and run them both together...........and this will give you nearly 3WPG or 75watts in total.

If you want 3 WPG you will need to add co2 to your tank, you can do this simply witha diy setup.

 

[utahfish]

they also make 65 watt compact fluorescent that will fit atop a 29 gallon.

i have a 29 gallon. with a full glass versa top. it has one 65 watt compact fluoresent coralife hood with a 6700 k bulb and then a 24" inch light strip with a 20 watt plant gro bulb.

this gives me a total of 85 watts which divided by 29 is 2.9 but i divide it by 28 gallons seeing as i have two inches of substrate and drift wood giving me 3 watts/gallon.

ideal for most plant growth with additional co2 supplementation. if your not planning on adding co2 than under 3 watts will suffice.

if you plan on adding co2 you'll need between 2.5-4.0 watts/ gallon

you laso want to make sure you get the right spectrum, 10000K super day lamps are good and 6700K are ideal for plants, any blue actinic or other weird lights your asking for algae trouble.

the other consideration is the depth of your tank and whether or not the light your providing can reach the bottom of the tank effectivley. the best light at penetrating water depth is metal hailides but metal hailides are expensive, fluorescents dont do a very good job but compact fluorescents do pretty good.

aslo the more light you get the more heat they produce so you have to take into account the effect the light has on your water temperature.

anyway i hope some of my blabbering helps, good luck have fun.

 

[illusion54]

Alright im buying a new hood that is able to hold 2 24" bulbs and this is what im considering from utahfishes post.

Plant Bulb (Flora-Glo)
Ultra Sun Bulb (6500k)

 

[abstract]

Alright im buying a new hood that is able to hold 2 24" bulbs and this is what im considering from utahfishes post.

Plant Bulb (Flora-Glo)
Ultra Sun Bulb (6500k)

those will work...i currently use 1 24" flora-glo and 1 24" life-glo over my 20 long..

 

[illusion54]

ok thanks guys