Too Much Light?

[Qays]

I was told a 25 watt light is too much for a 11gallon aquarium.

the only plant i have is a java fern and will not have other plants.

I was told 25 watts wil produce algae. can anyone help me?

 

[ChrisP]

If you are just growing Java fern then yeah its a bit overkill, you could most likely get away with half that lighting.

 

[Qays]

If you are just growing Java fern then yeah its a bit overkill, you could most likely get away with half that lighting.

should i get another Java fern? my lfs only sells java fern. PLUS i dont want a low lit tank, I like bright!

Also, if i switch my light off for 2hrs in the middle of a day with this prevent algae?

 

[Qays]

i found out that its an 8 watt light. Will this be a little to less? (Visually) Or will it still keep the tank nicely lit?

 

[Dubby]

i found out that its an 8 watt light. Will this be a little to less? (Visually) Or will it still keep the tank nicely lit?

If its a CF tube and is rated at 8W then the equivalent is probably around 36W of light. This should be more than adequate for your 11 gallon esp. since you have only Java fern.

 

[Qays]

i found out that its an 8 watt light. Will this be a little to less? (Visually) Or will it still keep the tank nicely lit?

If its a CF tube and is rated at 8W then the equivalent is probably around 36W of light. This should be more than adequate for your 11 gallon esp. since you have only Java fern.

whats a CF tube?

 

[Walt]

CF = compact fluorescent, im guessing

 

[Dubby]

CF = compact fluorescent, im guessing

Thats correct. Thanx

 

[Qays]

CF = compact fluorescent, im guessing

Thats correct. Thanx

I dont know if its a CF light. Here re the lights

 

[craynerd]

add CO2 .....add more plants.....start EI ....

Hi-Tec is the way forward, my friend!!!!!

lol sorry, i`m getting a little obsessed myself!

MTS is on its way next!

 

[WendyinWichita]

I think you need to check the pinned lighting area, lighting on smaller tanks isn't calculated the same as larger tanks. Smaller tanks need a lot more watts to get the equivalent. I currently have a 10 gal with 65 watts CF and it is fantastic. I do not do EI, I just add trace and iron, DIY co2, and weekly water changes. (well water so other ferts not needed based on my H20 data) No algae and fantastic plant growth. It is my easiest tank.

A while back there were quite a few threads regarding lighting and smaller tanks. Check Pseud's threads because he documented building a light for his 10 gal.

For Java fern the lighting is probably OK, since it grows easily.

 

[Qays]

Thanks for the replies. But i dont want to add CO2 or any other stuff. I dont really have time to maintain a planted tank, fish are enough for me. So i went for a plant which would be easily maintained.

But my main question was:

Will 8 Watt lights LOOK bright in a tank of that size? Sounds quite low, i like fairly brightly lit tanks more than dim.

Also, whats the difference between "Compact Flourecent" And "Flourecent" ?

The plant should be ok. And when the Fern sprouts more babies ill plant them around the tank too!

 

[Dubby]

Thanks for the replies. But i dont want to add CO2 or any other stuff. I dont really have time to maintain a planted tank, fish are enough for me. So i went for a plant which would be easily maintained.

But my main question was:

Will 8 Watt lights LOOK bright in a tank of that size? Sounds quite low, i like fairly brightly lit tanks more than dim.

Also, whats the difference between "Compact Flourecent" And "Flourecent" ?

The plant should be ok. And when the Fern sprouts more babies ill plant them around the tank too!

The Aquaglow is a regular fluorescent lamp. So a 8W light may not seem be bright enough. Its individual choice really. What you need to remember is that with more light there is the danger that you will encourage algae, as there arent enough live plants to compete with it.

For decent plant growth you need approx 2W/gallon. As a example, I use 2x15W fluorescent lamps with my 60L fully planted tank. Thats a little over 2W/gallon.

CFs are the newer variety which are much smaller in size,(for example the 9W/11W bulbs you get which fit into regular holders) but have much higher light outputs. The ones that fit into regular holders have the ballast built into them, so there is no need for separate starter, ballast etc. But there are other models out there that need a ballast. The ballast for this is different to the one used for regular fluorescent lamps, so if you decide to change, you will need to buy the ballast as well.

 

[Qays]

Thanks for the replies. But i dont want to add CO2 or any other stuff. I dont really have time to maintain a planted tank, fish are enough for me. So i went for a plant which would be easily maintained.

But my main question was:

Will 8 Watt lights LOOK bright in a tank of that size? Sounds quite low, i like fairly brightly lit tanks more than dim.

Also, whats the difference between "Compact Flourecent" And "Flourecent" ?

The plant should be ok. And when the Fern sprouts more babies ill plant them around the tank too!

The Aquaglow is a regular fluorescent lamp. So a 8W light may not seem be bright enough. Its individual choice really. What you need to remember is that with more light there is the danger that you will encourage algae, as there arent enough live plants to compete with it.

For decent plant growth you need approx 2W/gallon. As a example, I use 2x15W fluorescent lamps with my 60L fully planted tank. Thats a little over 2W/gallon.

CFs are the newer variety which are much smaller in size,(for example the 9W/11W bulbs you get which fit into regular holders) but have much higher light outputs. The ones that fit into regular holders have the ballast built into them, so there is no need for separate starter, ballast etc. But there are other models out there that need a ballast. The ballast for this is different to the one used for regular fluorescent lamps, so if you decide to change, you will need to buy the ballast as well.

Mine isnt a CF. So will 8w be too little? Its probably gonna be very dull

Algae shouldnt be a problem as the light will be switched off in the middle of the day, and my room gets VERY little sunlight

 

[Dubby]

Mine isnt a CF. So will 8w be too little? Its probably gonna be very dull

Algae shouldnt be a problem as the light will be switched off in the middle of the day, and my room gets VERY little sunlight

What size is your tank (dimensions)? Does your hood have space to take another tube? I am presuming that your current light is a 8W tube, correct?