What lighting for a planted 150G?

W

weldon

AC Members
Jan 7, 2006
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I'd like to try a planted tank with the 150G that I just picked up. I bought it used off Craigslist and it came with a fixture that has two 26" fluorescent lights in it. The tubes are Aquari-lux FL-30's (30 watt aquarium lights from Penn-Plax).

This site implies that I need 90-200W to grow low to medium light plants. I'm not very particular about the type of plants - I'd just like some variety in texture and plenty of green.

Any suggestions on where to find the right fluorescents? Any suggestions on which plants to try first?
 
AH-Supply specializes in PC kits & retrofit kits. Their reflectors are second to none. If going from there, I'd seriously look at a pair of 96W kits or at setting up 4x65W, depending on your hood (you can't set 96W PCs on, or within ~2" of glass or the heat will break the glass).

Another route would be T-5s. They're a bit more efficient than PCs. Tek makes the best reflectors for them. Several vendors can hook you up with kits.

There are also many ready-to-go units of various wattages & lengths employing MH, PC and T-5 bulbs in various combinations. They come w/ built in reflectors & legs to prop them up on the tops of any standard length tank. They're pricey but do not require you to come up with a canopy.

5000K to 10,000K rated bulbs are generally best for planted tanks.

I also agree w/ previous post... 200W-300W range is a good startng point. >300W, and you'll want to put in a CO2 system too.
 
Plecosterone said:
I would personally go for 200 - 300 watts. I don't use them but many people use the lights available here http://www.ahsupply.com/
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Thanks for the link. I checked out some of their lights to see what was possible.
Squawkbert said:
AH-Supply specializes in PC kits & retrofit kits. Their reflectors are second to none. If going from there, I'd seriously look at a pair of 96W kits or at setting up 4x65W, depending on your hood (you can't set 96W PCs on, or within ~2" of glass or the heat will break the glass).
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Really?! I just have a glass canopy on the top of the tank right now and I have a light fixture that just rests on top of that. I assume it's fine with 60W (2x30W tubes) but I can understand how higher wattage lights would produce significantly more heat.

Any suggestions for low-light plants then? At least until I can afford to buy better lighting for the tank?
 
Squawkbert said:
There are also many ready-to-go units of various wattages & lengths employing MH, PC and T-5 bulbs in various combinations. They come w/ built in reflectors & legs to prop them up on the tops of any standard length tank. They're pricey but do not require you to come up with a canopy.
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I haven't seen any kits for 72" tanks in local stores. Should I just look for 2 36" kits or are there any places to check online?
irishspy said:
Here's a catalog of plants by light requirement. This should give you some good ideas.
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Thanks! That's an interesting site.
 
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