New 50gal. lighting ?

peregrine3751 · 02-17-2003, 01:09 AM

Hi all;
Just got my new 50gal. ( 36L x 15W x 22T ).

Would I be better off with tow 55w PC's and two 20w standard fluoesents (150 watts ) or two 96w PC's ( 192watts ) ?
Thanks
peregrine3751

SNPiccolo5 · 02-17-2003, 02:14 AM

The seemingly obvious answer here is that the 2x96 watts would be better. It is easier, but here are some things to think about....

The first setup (the one with the 55 watts) provides less light, but by no means low light. In fact, the 3 wpg would be pleny to grow most plants except for the most demanding.. You would need to provide pressurized CO2 to make use of most of you light...

The second setup provides 8 watts short of 4 watts per gallon. This is a lot of light, and could grow most all plants, with very few exceptions. The only problem with this setup is that it might be more than what you want. This tank would definitely need pressurized CO2 (as would the other setup) and lots of ferts etc... It would be more difficuilt to manage this tank in my opinion, but more convenient to set up.

-Tim

peregrine3751 · 02-17-2003, 03:25 AM

Thanks Tim;
I will have pressurized CO2. I'm not sure of what substrate I'm going to use ( Flourite or Flourite and sand ). How do you think low light plants (2 watts per gal. plants ) would do under that much light ?
Thanks
peregrine3751

Rex Grigg · 02-17-2003, 04:13 AM

99% of them will do just fine and grow like gangbusters.

SNPiccolo5 · 02-17-2003, 02:59 PM

Low light plants should do fine under high light, but they still will grow somewhat slowly!

If you have seen pictures of Buck's tank, I would go witht he flourite and sand. The sand encourages strong roots and looks great too! Or you could go with flourite and the Tahitian Moon Sand.... This is black sand and I should be getting some to add to my tank in a week or so, I'll have to post pics...

-Tim

02-17-2003, 02:14 AM	#2
SNPiccolo5 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 859	The seemingly obvious answer here is that the 2x96 watts would be better. It is easier, but here are some things to think about.... The first setup (the one with the 55 watts) provides less light, but by no means low light. In fact, the 3 wpg would be pleny to grow most plants except for the most demanding.. You would need to provide pressurized CO2 to make use of most of you light... The second setup provides 8 watts short of 4 watts per gallon. This is a lot of light, and could grow most all plants, with very few exceptions. The only problem with this setup is that it might be more than what you want. This tank would definitely need pressurized CO2 (as would the other setup) and lots of ferts etc... It would be more difficuilt to manage this tank in my opinion, but more convenient to set up. -Tim __________________ Tank in transition! 55 gallons, hard water.

02-17-2003, 02:59 PM	#5
SNPiccolo5 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 859	Low light plants should do fine under high light, but they still will grow somewhat slowly! If you have seen pictures of Buck's tank, I would go witht he flourite and sand. The sand encourages strong roots and looks great too! Or you could go with flourite and the Tahitian Moon Sand.... This is black sand and I should be getting some to add to my tank in a week or so, I'll have to post pics... -Tim __________________ Tank in transition! 55 gallons, hard water.

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02-17-2003, 01:09 AM	#1
peregrine3751 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Goleta, California Posts: 13	Hi all; Just got my new 50gal. ( 36L x 15W x 22T ). Would I be better off with tow 55w PC's and two 20w standard fluoesents (150 watts ) or two 96w PC's ( 192watts ) ? Thanks peregrine3751

02-17-2003, 03:25 AM	#3
peregrine3751 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Goleta, California Posts: 13	Thanks Tim; I will have pressurized CO2. I'm not sure of what substrate I'm going to use ( Flourite or Flourite and sand ). How do you think low light plants (2 watts per gal. plants ) would do under that much light ? Thanks peregrine3751

02-17-2003, 04:13 AM	#4
Rex Grigg Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (65/100%) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland Orygun Posts: 9,600	99% of them will do just fine and grow like gangbusters.