I Surrender !

I have a 30 gallon plant tank. I am using a 5500K ( 18W ) flourscent tube. For ages people have been telling me that, that would only be strong enough to grow plants that require practically no light @ all.

I surrender. I am ready to get what I need, but I need some help;

1) What strength of light do I need ?

2) There are so many types ( names ) of lights out there. What would I be looking for ?

3) Presently I have a 24" tube. The first time, I ordered a 36". Of course it wouldn't fit. I hadn't taken into account, the size of the canopy. What length of light would I be looking for, for a tank measuring 36" wide ?

4) Could I use my present canopy or would I have to order a whole new assembly ?

5) Please no technical jargon. I am a newbie. If you could just keep it simple, I would appreciate it.

Thanks ( from a slow learner )

 

This might be better in the fresh water forum, you might get more responses from people who are fresh water minded rather than reef minded.

 

I have a 36" long tank as well (40 breeder) with a canopy. I had luck with a zoo med aquasun 2-bulb t5 fixture. I took the endcaps off, taped up the ends, and it fits perfectly inside my canopy. This isn't real practical though..If I could do it again I would get a retrofit kit.

So look around for a 2 bulb retrofit kit. The 39 watt bulbs (slightly <36") should fit in your canopy. Two of these bulbs are plenty of light for my tank.

Hope this helps

Ivan

 

I'd agree, two bulb 36" T5 would do the trick.

Haha! Stubborn.

 

Isn't 6500K the proper spectrum for plants?

 

Around that range, yes.

Edit: I have a 5000k and a 6500k over my tank. Nice combination.

 

6500 of higher for sure .. Watts depends on what you wanna plant really..

Here is a link to a chart for plant species and the lighting
. / Canadian Fish Forums

 

If I tried to use a 36" flourscent tube in my present system, wouldn't it be too long ? I currently use a 24" to fit into my existing canopy.

Maybe you're not thinking of my present system. Are you suggesting I will have to go for something else entirely & abandon the light & canopy I have now ?

Would you kindly explain in lay men's terms. I am not to bright. ( LOL )

If I got adequate lighting would I still need to fertilize ?

If I went with maximum lighting, could I still grow low light plants, if I tucked them into a shady spot ?

Thanks Zoban.

 

Let's just start fresh lol

What are the exact dimensions of the top of your tank? A picture of your current canopy would help too.

As you increase light..you need to increase other nutrients as well.

Low light plants will still be okay. As you said, just put them in a slightly shaded area.

 

A 36" bulb should fit in a canopy that is over a 36" tank since the bulbs is not really 36" its anywhere from 33" to 34.5" to compensate for the end caps that the bulb has to screw into. I know some fixtures out there use bulbs that are significantly shorter that the tank and I could never figure out why, which is what it sounds like you have.

Could you post some pictures of you canopy and tank? Does the canopy reach from side to side when on top of the tank? Do your bulbs extend to the ends of your tank or is there a "no light zone" at each end of your tank.

IMO a single 18 watt is no where near enough to grow plants, you should have at least 2 bulbs that cover the whole tank. When I had fresh water planted tank I had a 45 gallon tank and used Hagen or Zoo Med bulbs The nice thing about the Hagen bulbs is the wattage's are just a bit above the other bulbs. Their 24" bulbs is 20 watts where everyone else's is 17 watts.