26w over 10g?

[tendril]

Hey guys,

I have a ten gallon tank that I plan to light with 2 13W power compacts using AH Supplies' retrofit kit. Will this be enough to grow light-hungry plants like glossostigma (sp?) or should I spring for a 36W or even a 2x36W kit?

thanks

[secretagent]

From the first option 2 13w lights wont be worth the whiel on light hungry plants! I have learned (or Think to know) that even though it is a shallow low gallon ratio light dosnt "expand" enough so If you have 2wpg it seems like you have 1 (an example not exact). Well I would aim higher in wpg in "smaller" tanks! Just my 2 cents!

PS: maybe someone who knows more will explain better that I did!

[IUnknown]

Depends on how much maintenance you want to do (and if you have Co2). I ran 2 x 36 watt on a ten gallon and it was great. The only problem was that the stem plants out grew the tank to fast. I am going to set that tank up again, but this time only using foreground plants. Smaller tanks need more WPG.

[Wasserpest]

Yes you can grow Glosso with two of the 13W kits. It might not be as lush and dense as with more light, but with some patience and CO2 you can get a good coverage of your substrate.

[hubbahubbahehe]

it will work, but only cuz you are getting the ahsupply kit...the reflectors really do work and they make all the difference in focusing the light into the tank...say, you had 2 x 13 without reflectors, no it would not work. good luck

[Derek]

I don't know about the glosso thing under 26 watts but I do know that one of AH Supply's 36 watt kits over a 10 gallon still leaves some shady spots, mainly at the back of the tank. I'm considering building a DIY hood for my 10, installing the 36 watt kit plus the original 15 watt T-8 (with a decent reflector) for 51 watts, mainly to improve light distribution in the tank. So, my two cents: skip the 2x13 watt kit and go with the 1x36 watt kit. It really isn't that much light. Remember, the watts/gallon ROT doesn't apply for nano tanks so 2.6 wpg on a 10 would be considered "moderate" light.

Hope this helps,

Derek

[ninoboy]

I agree with Derek. That's why I use 2 light fixtures on my 10gl. One to cover the front side and one for the back. I overdrive both bulbs with 4f32t8 ballast and the output is brighter than 3x15 if compared side by side.

[daramagar]

THe 2x13 retrofit kit does not come with the reflectors. Without the reflector and with the light sitting so close to the water I had shadows at the front of
my tank and my glosso was growing about 3" tall and toward the rear of the tank. I bought reflectors for the 2x13 and a 1x13 deluxe, built a new canopy
and now run 3x13 front to back on the tank.My glosso now grows horizontal.

[tendril]

Just an update guys,

My 36w AH supply kit came in yesterday, and I'm hoping to have it up and running today. I'm really excited about finally having a decent planted tank! Right now I'm thinking of having 4-5 species. A nice red ludwigia repens, cambomba and microsorum pteropus v. 'windelov' for the background, and lilaeopsis and glossostigma in the foreground. What do you folks think?