Lighting Question

sphelps · #1 08-21-2009, 07:44 PM

I'm no expert on freshwater put I was under the impression you could get away with a couple T8s for most plants.

Agranized · #2 08-21-2009, 10:36 PM

What about LED lighting?

trilinearmipmap · #3 08-21-2009, 11:10 PM

There is no need for halides even for high light plants.

You could get a 2 x 24" T5 retrofit kit.

Then if you want to upgrade to a high-light, CO2 injected system later you could add on two more 24" T5's.

Myka · #4 08-21-2009, 11:18 PM

For a 30" depth I would think that you would want to use T5NOs for low light plants. Halides are used on planted tanks at times, but usually only for exceptionally deep, high CO2, high light demand plants.

ElGuappo · #5 08-22-2009, 12:38 AM

imo a single tube t8 may be enough, at least for low light plants

PuffLuv · #6 08-22-2009, 02:38 AM

It definitely depends on what plants you want to keep. For plants that aren't very light-demanding (java, crypt, anubias, water sprite, etc.), I'd recommend a double T5HO (~3W/gal). However if you plan on keeping some cabomba, pennywort, cress, swords, etc., I would get at least a 4-bulb T5HO(~6W/gal) and use CO2 if you want them to thrive.

Myka · #7 08-22-2009, 02:12 PM

He would be struggling with algae if he used 2xT5HO without injecting CO2.

sphelps · #8 08-22-2009, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PuffLuv

It definitely depends on what plants you want to keep. For plants that aren't very light-demanding (java, crypt, anubias, water sprite, etc.), I'd recommend a double T5HO (~3W/gal). However if you plan on keeping some cabomba, pennywort, cress, swords, etc., I would get at least a 4-bulb T5HO(~6W/gal) and use CO2 if you want them to thrive.

6W per gallon sounds like a lot for any plant, I use that much for my reef tank and it uses higher K bulbs than typical planted tanks and contains SPS corals.

BlueAbyss · #9 08-23-2009, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PuffLuv

It definitely depends on what plants you want to keep. For plants that aren't very light-demanding (java, crypt, anubias, water sprite, etc.), I'd recommend a double T5HO (~3W/gal). However if you plan on keeping some cabomba, pennywort, cress, swords, etc., I would get at least a 4-bulb T5HO(~6W/gal) and use CO2 if you want them to thrive.

+1. I've found even some of the easy plants (cabomba, hygrophila, etc.) need the extra light to do well... I wouldn't do another planted tank without at least a pair of T5HOs over it. Algae problems aside, T8s just don't have the output for high light plants (IMO, any NO fluorescent will not be enough for a good planted tank, unless you're planting with mosses and ferns).