Is an 18" light good enough for a 28 gallon

BlueDevil · 09-22-2008, 06:15 PM

Hi All,
I am a newbie. I just purchased a combo from petco which includes a 28 gallon bowfront tank with filter, light and stand. I plan to keep some plants in this tank and I have an Eclipse daylight 18" long flourescent bulb (don't know wattage). Will this be enough light for my tank and how long should it be on per day? I plan to keep at most 5-different types of plants. If this light is not sufficient enought, what would you recommend. There are 10 fancy guppies, 2 angel fish and 3 CAE; is this overcrowded? What else do i need to keep the plants alive? Thanks for all the help.

seAdams · 09-22-2008, 06:52 PM

IME, those 18" bulbs are usually 15 watts. I just removed one from my tank and while I had it, the only thing I could keep alive was Java Fern.

Did you cycle this tank before putting the fish in? If not, you're going to have a problem especially with sensitive angelfish.

CAEs become rather aggressive as they grow and if you look at the adult size of all these fish, your tank will be overcrowded.

BlueDevil · 09-22-2008, 07:33 PM

I filled the 28-gallon tank up with my established 180-gallon tank and I used a running filter from my 10-gallon tank. So the water and filter is good. The CAE will be removed once they get bigger, they are very small right now. Are the CAE safe for plants? Is there an 18" bulb i can use besides by stock one or I need to add another light?

seAdams · 09-22-2008, 10:13 PM

AFAIK, there is no 18" bulb with higher wattage. I removed mine and modified the hood so I could use two compact fluorescent bulbs at whatever wattage I desire. This is working very well!

Keep an eye on the CAEs. They do like to attach themselves to slow moving flat bodied fish like Angels and discus and suck the slime coat off them.

I doubt they'll harm plants though.

09-22-2008, 06:15 PM	#1
BlueDevil Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 3	Is an 18" light good enough for a 28 gallon Hi All, I am a newbie. I just purchased a combo from petco which includes a 28 gallon bowfront tank with filter, light and stand. I plan to keep some plants in this tank and I have an Eclipse daylight 18" long flourescent bulb (don't know wattage). Will this be enough light for my tank and how long should it be on per day? I plan to keep at most 5-different types of plants. If this light is not sufficient enought, what would you recommend. There are 10 fancy guppies, 2 angel fish and 3 CAE; is this overcrowded? What else do i need to keep the plants alive? Thanks for all the help.

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09-22-2008, 06:52 PM	#2
seAdams Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 400	IME, those 18" bulbs are usually 15 watts. I just removed one from my tank and while I had it, the only thing I could keep alive was Java Fern. Did you cycle this tank before putting the fish in? If not, you're going to have a problem especially with sensitive angelfish. CAEs become rather aggressive as they grow and if you look at the adult size of all these fish, your tank will be overcrowded.

09-22-2008, 07:33 PM	#3
BlueDevil Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 3	I filled the 28-gallon tank up with my established 180-gallon tank and I used a running filter from my 10-gallon tank. So the water and filter is good. The CAE will be removed once they get bigger, they are very small right now. Are the CAE safe for plants? Is there an 18" bulb i can use besides by stock one or I need to add another light?

09-22-2008, 10:13 PM	#4
seAdams Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 400	AFAIK, there is no 18" bulb with higher wattage. I removed mine and modified the hood so I could use two compact fluorescent bulbs at whatever wattage I desire. This is working very well! Keep an eye on the CAEs. They do like to attach themselves to slow moving flat bodied fish like Angels and discus and suck the slime coat off them. I doubt they'll harm plants though.