Weak lighting

[Sunny.C]

B) Hey guys starting a new community tank, i have a all in one tank which means i cannot get better lighting in it. My LFS said i can get plants in the tank but the lights aren't the best. Which plants don't require much lighting and which can survive stronger with weak lighting. My tank is aqua ar620t 34gallons. If you guys need info on lighting output i can try and find it.Let me know. Cheers

 

[Bloo]

I can't quite find they exact type and model of tank you have there. But I have to say that I've never ever come across a tank where you cannot switch bulbs But surely if the bulbs get over a year old and need replacing (or break) there has to be a way of replacing them?

I'm still getting up to speed myself on lighting and the correct range / spectrum to have, but have you checked out the pinned articles here in the planted section ? There are some great ones which will give you some more insight into a planted tank in general.

 

[Sunny.C]

http/www.aquaone.com.au/curvedglass_aqta...r620_ar980).htm
AR 620t What do you guys recommend???
I don't know what the standard light tubes are in them(have not checked yet)
this is a site where i think i can get higher tubes, should i get any?
http/www.kongs.com.au/product_sheets.htm
Thank you for help.

 

[Sunny.C]

Guys i just look at lighting i got 2 tubes 18w each, that good?

 

[Bloo]

OK, so with 90 litres, you're looking at about 24 US gallons and a total of 36 W lighting - and from what I've read so far, that's not enough Watts per gallon.
From what I read in this pinned article "The most common guidelines used in simple planted tanks is to leave the lights on about 10-12 hours a day, and use at least 1 Watt of fluorescent lighting for every 2 litres of tank capacity. So if you have a 130 litre tank you would need at least 65 W of fluorescent lighting". Which means you're below that. I'm sure some of the other guys here can definitely help you out, but that's a very good article to read to start you off

 

[Sunny.C]

My tanks 130litres it's the ar620t model.

 

[Grey Legion]

The only plants I can see you adding now are floating plants..look into pennywort

if the lighting is to weak floating may be all you can do, but you also have to see if you have the right bulbs for plants look for bulbs in your size that are between 5500 and 6700K that is the correct spectrum for plants.

 

[Bloo]

My tanks 130litres it's the ar620t model.

Ah ok, well I've amended my post above for others who will read this thread. And in that case, you are also even further below the recommended light intensity I'm afraid. Don't worry, most tanks come as "standard" with lighting that's not suited (or ideal) for planted tanks. That's why most people have to add extra tubes etc.

 

[Sunny.C]

There 1400k each. What you guys think i should do?? Do i have to get stronger tubes or while floating plants do??? btw what are floating plants?

 

[Grey Legion]

You will have to chnage the bulbs before you can get any plants..

here is the plant I would start out with ( if you change your lighting )

http/www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_viewer.php?id=126\

hope that helps !!

 

[Sunny.C]

So no plant at all will survive at all if i don't change lighting?

 

[Sunny.C]

I have got a quite for light tubes, 20w upto 10000k output. Is this good for what i want??? $25 each australian dollar. good?

 

[Grey Legion]

http/www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_list.p...y=4&filter_by=2

Look into these plants...

and the 10,000K bulbs are no good for what you want to do..

5500-6700K are good

 

[Sunny.C]

so 10000k is to much output?