Help with lighting

matt s · 11-07-2007, 04:43 PM

I have a tank its 20L 18W 30T and I need someone to link me or tell me what light I need. Im looking to put in plants like java fern java moss and various swords. Right now I have a 457mm tropic sun 5500k daylight 15 watts. Is this ok if not please link me or tell me what i do need.
Thanks!

Wasserpest · 11-07-2007, 05:52 PM

Just to confirm - it is 20in long and 30in tall?

matt s · 11-07-2007, 06:01 PM

ya it is 20L 18W and 30T

Wasserpest · 11-07-2007, 06:20 PM

Ooooh that makes it a bit difficult. If you are handy and build your own canopy, the 2x 36W kit from AHSupply http://www.ahsupply.com/36-55w.htm would be an option. If you want open tank you could probably hang a 70W HQI pendant over it. All depends a bit if you want high tech, high maintenance or not.

matt s · 11-07-2007, 06:28 PM

So theres not an 18" bulb I could put in the hood that could let me grow some plants?

Wasserpest · 11-07-2007, 06:40 PM

Not really. As you know, normal 18" T8 bulbs are 15W... you can see your fish, but it is not enough for photosynthesis in a 30" tall tank. That's why I suggested to move up to PC bulbs, they are brighter (36W).

matt s · 11-07-2007, 07:24 PM

Where do i buy a CF bulb?

matt s · 11-07-2007, 07:33 PM

nvm i found out on the site so should I get the double 36W or would one be ok cost isnt really that bad 70.00$ for double 30.00$ for 2 36 watt 10000K bulbs is like 115$ with shipping and all. or would just the single 36W 10000K be enough?

Wasserpest · 11-07-2007, 09:19 PM

With a single 36W bulb, you could keep some low light plants, like Anubias, Crypts, Mosses and Ferns. For a 48gal tank it would be very low light. I'd recommend two, for better coverage of the 18" depth, and some more plant choices.

11-07-2007, 04:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
matt s Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 204	Help with lighting I have a tank its 20L 18W 30T and I need someone to link me or tell me what light I need. Im looking to put in plants like java fern java moss and various swords. Right now I have a 457mm tropic sun 5500k daylight 15 watts. Is this ok if not please link me or tell me what i do need. Thanks! __________________ Aquariums are like lays potato chips, You can't have just one! -Owner of many tanks including lots of cichlids everywhere from 5" Angelfish to my 14" Oscars 48 Gallon Planted project: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ph...l-journal.html

11-07-2007, 05:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
Wasserpest Born to be mild (View User Tanks) PTrader: (57) Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 9,322	Just to confirm - it is 20in long and 30in tall? __________________ All my tanks Cheap Autodosing Cheap Water Change Cheap Filter Acrylic Filter Pipes The Wasser-Controller

11-07-2007, 06:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
matt s Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 204	ya it is 20L 18W and 30T __________________ Aquariums are like lays potato chips, You can't have just one! -Owner of many tanks including lots of cichlids everywhere from 5" Angelfish to my 14" Oscars 48 Gallon Planted project: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ph...l-journal.html

11-07-2007, 06:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
Wasserpest Born to be mild (View User Tanks) PTrader: (57) Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 9,322	Ooooh that makes it a bit difficult. If you are handy and build your own canopy, the 2x 36W kit from AHSupply http://www.ahsupply.com/36-55w.htm would be an option. If you want open tank you could probably hang a 70W HQI pendant over it. All depends a bit if you want high tech, high maintenance or not. __________________ All my tanks Cheap Autodosing Cheap Water Change Cheap Filter Acrylic Filter Pipes The Wasser-Controller

11-07-2007, 06:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
matt s Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 204	So theres not an 18" bulb I could put in the hood that could let me grow some plants? __________________ Aquariums are like lays potato chips, You can't have just one! -Owner of many tanks including lots of cichlids everywhere from 5" Angelfish to my 14" Oscars 48 Gallon Planted project: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ph...l-journal.html

11-07-2007, 06:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
Wasserpest Born to be mild (View User Tanks) PTrader: (57) Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 9,322	Not really. As you know, normal 18" T8 bulbs are 15W... you can see your fish, but it is not enough for photosynthesis in a 30" tall tank. That's why I suggested to move up to PC bulbs, they are brighter (36W). __________________ All my tanks Cheap Autodosing Cheap Water Change Cheap Filter Acrylic Filter Pipes The Wasser-Controller

11-07-2007, 07:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
matt s Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 204	Where do i buy a CF bulb? __________________ Aquariums are like lays potato chips, You can't have just one! -Owner of many tanks including lots of cichlids everywhere from 5" Angelfish to my 14" Oscars 48 Gallon Planted project: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ph...l-journal.html

11-07-2007, 07:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
matt s Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 204	nvm i found out on the site so should I get the double 36W or would one be ok cost isnt really that bad 70.00$ for double 30.00$ for 2 36 watt 10000K bulbs is like 115$ with shipping and all. or would just the single 36W 10000K be enough? __________________ Aquariums are like lays potato chips, You can't have just one! -Owner of many tanks including lots of cichlids everywhere from 5" Angelfish to my 14" Oscars 48 Gallon Planted project: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ph...l-journal.html

11-07-2007, 09:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
Wasserpest Born to be mild (View User Tanks) PTrader: (57) Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 9,322	With a single 36W bulb, you could keep some low light plants, like Anubias, Crypts, Mosses and Ferns. For a 48gal tank it would be very low light. I'd recommend two, for better coverage of the 18" depth, and some more plant choices. __________________ All my tanks Cheap Autodosing Cheap Water Change Cheap Filter Acrylic Filter Pipes The Wasser-Controller

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