photoperiod/light intensity

[newkidvoodoo]

ok, i did a search and couldn't really find the exact thing i was looking for, so i'll ask here. i am looking into getting one of the Coralife Aqualight 36" 2x96w lights for my 38 gal tank. the only thing is, is this is just over 5 watts/gallon. my plants aren't exactly high light plants. i was wondering if i could operate one of the lights for most of the photoperiod, and then both of them for just the peak hours. i actually think this would be good for the plants and fish, but i am unsure if it works this way. i have read some conflicting opinions on photoperiod/light intensity. i just don't want to burn my plants and blind my fish.

i have also considered metal halides (i hear the sparkling is beautiful), but i haven't been able to find a satisfactory sit-on-tank, all-in-one, metal halide system that would be feasible for my tank. if i could, i would buy it, anyone know of one?

[Urkevitz]

What plants do you have, if they aren't high light then you can probably run just one of the bulbs for the entire photoperiod.

[Rolo]

I agree with urkevitz. With only one bulb running, that's about 2.5 wpg - well sufficient. I think 5wpg is pushing it even though you want to try to do it for only a short duration.

Secondly, it won't be natural. Near the equator and tropical regions, the sun is direct and intensity consistent thorough out the whole day. There are no few hours low-light at dusk and dawn like here in the upper latitudes (or lower), but rather sunrise and sunset last about 10 minutes.

[2la]

Originally Posted by Rolo737

Secondly, it won't be natural. Near the equator and tropical regions, the sun is direct and intensity consistent thorough out the whole day. There are no few hours low-light at dusk and dawn like here in the upper latitudes (or lower), but rather sunrise and sunset last about 10 minutes.

Okay, explain this one a little more. Why wouldn't tropical areas have a dawn and dusk? I can't imagine that the refraction of light as the sun nears horizon could have so dramatic of an effect that there'd only be a period of 10 minutes of fading light (i.e., sunlight begins to attenuate quite some time before sunset!). I went to the Big Island of Hawa'ii for my senior trip and I certainly don't recall any sudden 'lights out' or 'lights on' phenomena occurring. In fact, dawn and dusk were absolutely beautiful and ramped up just as it does (if perhaps slightly accelerated) here in Oregon!

2la

[Rolo]

I'm not an expert on this, but I read an article written by someone who was. The jist of it was like this: The sun travels faster at the equatorial regions of the world, but also much more direct and intense, since the light cuts straight down into the Earth, rather than at an angle in the upper and lower latitudes. I wasn't implying that there was a sudden lights on and out. I see where it wasn't clear though. The article basically said that dusk and dawn happens quicker than here, or in an other way that the strong direct sunlight last for a longer duration of the day up to dusk and begins quicker after dawn.

[2la]

Well, that I would agree with, but I wouldn't say it's so dramatic an effect as it's sounding. Yes, the angle of the sun is less oblique than in temperate zones, but at some point all light from the sun hitting anywhere on Earth must go from -180 degrees (sunrise) to +180 degrees (sunset). In fact, if anything, it's no so much that dawn and dusk would be less pronounced than in temperate zones, but that noonday sun would be more dramatic in tropical zones.

[George Willms]

When I went to Costa Rica it was a pretty dramatic affair. It would literally go from broad daylight to darkness in about 15 minutes.

[newkidvoodoo]

well, thanks for the input. i'm going to go ahead and get the 2x96w fixture, and if it turns out to be too much light, then i'll just run one of the lights. or maybe i'll just have to go get a bigger tank... that would be a real tragedy wouldn't it?

[malkore]

I'm not sure that light has separate plugs/switches for each bulb. I'm pretty sure the 4x55 coralife does..no clue on the 2x96. I'd investigate that first.

[newkidvoodoo]

the coralife aqualight dual strip lights all come with seperate powerstrips and cords for each of the lamps.

[Aquaman]

I just added another 4x55 watt jebo light to my 90 gal. with both high and low light plants for a total of 440 watts thats 4.8 wpg, directly on the glas canopy. I have them on for a total of 14 hours. man everything in there is pearling, even the anubias. I had originally intended to have one set of 2 on this additional light on, but decided to try it for a few days and see what happens so far everything is ok. Let there be MORE light!