Its okay for low light plants
10 Gallon Lighting
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
If that is a Perfecto tank, one with the plastic canopy, having a glass window for the light to go through, that window prevents enough light from getting into the tank to grow plants. I had to remove the glass on mine, then use a utility knife to enlarge the opening, removing most of the lip that held the glass, before even two screw-in CFL bulbs would give enough light. That glass window acts as an aperture that cuts way down on the light.
Just curious, how high is the T8 sitting above the water line?
Its about 1 Inch above, since its sitting on the aquarium. Furthermore, its not a full hood, its only a strip light so there is no glass or plastic below the light. So Hoppy, what do you suggest? Should i get another same strip light?
I'd put it over top of a glass canopy.
That's how I set up my own 10gal low lights.
That's how I set up my own 10gal low lights.
I see, but im trying to milk that light as much as possible, i really want to grow some HC.
I see you've already got some CO2 going so it should work.
You could add another fixture if you want, stick with what you've got, or switch to an incandescent fixture and replace the bulbs with screw-in flourescents. Those would all be the easiest options.
You could add another fixture if you want, stick with what you've got, or switch to an incandescent fixture and replace the bulbs with screw-in flourescents. Those would all be the easiest options.
You barely have low light now, so adding a second strip light would you low medium light, making growing HC a lot easier. Just remember HC needs CO2 more than it needs light.
If you are mechanically inclined it is pretty easy to convert a strip light like that into a 2 bulb screw-in CFL light. Then you can pick a bulb wattage that will give anything from low light to high light. Here is something to give you an idea about how easy it is: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/116358-8-gal-nano-cube-adapting-planted.html
If you are mechanically inclined it is pretty easy to convert a strip light like that into a 2 bulb screw-in CFL light. Then you can pick a bulb wattage that will give anything from low light to high light. Here is something to give you an idea about how easy it is: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/116358-8-gal-nano-cube-adapting-planted.html
Hoppy thanks, ive seen that post before its good. Its something that i can do. Now tell me, what "bulb wattage" do i need for optimum growth? (for harder to grow plants)
If you make a simple reflector shaped like the one I made, and made of somewhat polished aluminum, you get about twice as much light as you do with no reflector. So, assuming you do make a reflector, and assuming the bulbs are 12 inches from the substrate, two 10 watt 6500K GE bulbs would give you about 40 micromols of PAR, which is a good low light level. Or two 15 watt 6500K GE bulbs would give you about 60 micromols of PAR, which is medium light, as much as you need to grow almost all plants, with good CO2 and good fertilizing. I think GE makes those bulbs with up to 25 watts power. If you used that size, same conditions as above, you should get about 90 micromols of PAR, which is high light, where you absolutely need very good CO2, consistent concentration every day, good water circulation in the tank, good tank maintenance. But, with high light you get the maximum rate of growth, and you can grow all aquatic plants, if you have good fertilizing and good CO2. That much light makes it very hard to avoid lots of algae problems.Hoppy thanks, ive seen that post before its good. Its something that i can do. Now tell me, what "bulb wattage" do i need for optimum growth? (for harder to grow plants)
Very good. Thank you
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
The Planted Tank Forum
A forum community dedicated to Aquatic tank owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about flora, fauna, health, housing, filters, care, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Top Contributors this Month
View All
Kwyet
134 Replies
Galabar001
58 Replies
Creature From The Tank
58 Replies
Recommended Communities
