What Type of Lighting Do I Need?

G

GeoPappas

AC Members
Jul 5, 2007
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Suburbs of Raleigh, NC
I am (slowly) setting up a 40 gallon breeder (36" W x 18" D x 16" H) and have a few questions about lighting.

I currently have an All-Glass glass canopy, similar to the following:



I am also planning on adding some plants, but only ones that require low light (or medium at most).

What type of lighting should I get?

Is a single tube enough, or do I need a twin tube (or even triple tube)?

What type of wattage should I be looking for?

What type of bulbs are recommended? Can I use regular bulbs available at the local Home Depot or Lowe's or do I need to buy special bulbs?
 
For low light plants you could use 60 - 80 watts of lighting. Any number of bulbs work as long as they fit over the tank. If you use standard flourecsents, then you can use the ones from any store as long as they are 6500K and up. "Daylight" bulbs are 6500K and work good for planted tanks.
 
My 40B uses a single 36in, 30w strip. It is bare bottom and holds a discus duo and 11 adult sterbai corys. It has plenty of plants on rock and wood and some in clay pots. I have to prune it regularly.

Imo most folks tend to overlight their low light tanks. I have a jungle in a 20L with under 1 wpg.
 
I'm using two 36" 30W T10 tubes over my 30G-same footprint but not as deep. IMHO, it's the right amount of light ~2WPG. Plants grow acceptably well without feeling like I'm blinding the fish.

I'm using an old 36 fixture restuffed with the guts from a Home Depot $8 shop light. Hood is custom built...about $50 total. Works great...though I may add a small fan or 2 to dissipate the heat.
 
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