Oops I forgot the tank dimensions, 153cm x 50cm x 50cm. The lights I have currently are 2 x Hygger 3 foot lights "
- PRODUCT PARAMETERS: ①Power:36W; ②Led QTY:153PCS(White:73PCS/BLUE:31PCS/ RED:11PCS/GREE:6PCS/ RGB:32PCS); ③CRI:85; ④Application(for Fish Tank Long):36”-42” ; ⑥Power Cord: 5.9ft+2.3ft; ⑦Input Votage:AC100-240V; ⑧Output Votage
C20V; ⑨Kelvin: White 6500K, Blue 455nm, Red 620nm, Green 560nm; ⑩Lumens:2778"
I had desires for a planted tank but everything seems to die except for floating plants and houseplants. The occupants are mainly different types of rainbow fish and a breeding pair of Electric Blue Acara
The three main points to consider for lighting include the height of the tank (50cm), the power of the light unit (36watts) and the light output (2778 Lumens).
The height of the tank is 50cm but the water depth will be a bit less due to the substrate and the water level not being to the top of the glass. The estimated water depth is probably around 40cm.
The width of the tank can also be a factor if the tank is wide. Yours is 50cm and most lights can cover that although a wider light unit or second light unit on each half of the tank would probably help if you have plants right through the tank. If the plants are all along the back half then a light along the back half would probably be adequate.
The wattage for the light generally relates to the output of the light, normally the higher the wattage the higher the output (lumens). I ran 36watt fluorescent globes over my 3 and 4 foot tanks (3 or 4ft long x 14inches wide x 18 inches high) and the plants didn't do much until I doubled or tripled the light (2 or 3 light units above each tank). My tanks were not as high or wide as your tank is, so you probably want more light.
Years ago when we had metal halide lights above the plant tank we used two x 150watt metal halide lights above a 4x2x2ft tank (4ft long x 2 ft wide x 2ft high). The plants did really well under this light. You would probably need two x 100+ watt lights above your tank if you want good plant growth. Most new LED light units can vary the light output so if you went for a couple of 150watt LED light units, you could reduce the light output if you found it was too bright. But I would say you need two x 100watt or 150watt LED light units above the tank to get good plant growth.
You also need to pick the right plants and use aquarium plant fertiliser to get the best results. Some plants sold in pet shops are not true aquatic plants and normally die when kept underwater. If you have lots of light on a tank but the plants don't get any nutrients, they won't grow very well.
The following link has some basic information about aquarium plants and might interest you.
AQUARIUM PLANTS 1.01 TURNING LIGHTS ON AND OFF Stress from tank lights coming on when the room is dark can be an issue. Fish don't have eyelids and don't tolerate going from complete dark to bright light (or vice versa) instantly. In the morning open the curtains or turn the room light on at...
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