How Much Light for Moss-Only Tank?

[DGalt]

So I'm turning my 15gallon into a moss only tank (well, there will be some anubias in there too but they are the most undemanding plants I've ever seen so I'm more concerned about the needs of the moss).

My main concern is avoiding algae. Even if it means slower growth I'm willing to decrease the lighting to avoid too many algae issues (b/c that's what plagued me so far).

So what I need to know is how much light (wattage) I should have over the tank (this is with spiral CFL bulbs) and for how long (photoperiod).

I'm going to try and get my DIY CO2 system back up and running. I am probably not going to do much in terms of ferts unless the plants seem to need them.

[rich311k]

I would think somewhere between 1 and 2 watts would do the trick.

[Bk828]

1 14w bulbs would be enough for a moss only tank. or you can get 2 9w bulbs and get better coverage.
Keep photoperiod to 6-8hrs and you should be fine.

[Jag1980]

I'm doing the same thing for my shrimp breeding tank.

I got 1.5 wpg and my moss is growing good, but a couple spots have light brown dead spots. Is there anything that can prevent problems like this or is this normal?

Sorry for jumping in to your thread, but this answer could benefit us both :)

[Rescue Ranger]

GOod question; my moss also has some brown spots and i have 2.3 WPG. I have no ferts; maybe that's it.

[Jag1980]

When I do a water change in my main planted tank, I will use some water from that to do the water change in my moss tank to give a tiny bit of nutrients. Still have this problem though.. :huh:

[Born4spd]

IIRC Water Flow is the key to growing moss, throw a power head in there and try to spread the moss thin if you can, i hear cutting it into bunches also will trigger growth Good luck!

[DGalt]

18W, 20W, 26W, or 30W (i.e. 2x9W, 2x10W....etc) These seem to be my best options in this range. I don't know what I'll find at the store, but these seem to be the most likely options that will have the right K rating. I just want to have an idea of what would be best, since I may get stuck choosing between 18W and 30W

1.5WPG would be 22.5W. So would going a bit higher or going a bit lower be better? Tank will have a DIY CO2 system but I'm going to avoid ferts unless the plants seem to need them.

[Bk828]

check homedepot they carry n:Vision 9w-14w-23w(or 27). The blue pack is daylight bulbs (5500K)

[DGalt]

is 5500 ok? that makes life easier. the bulbs I have now are 6500 and I couldn't remember exactly what range I needed so I was looking for ones with the same K rating.

Hmm....still leaves the question. 18W or 28w?

[Bk828]

is 5500 ok? that makes life easier. the bulbs I have now are 6500 and I couldn't remember exactly what range I needed so I was looking for ones with the same K rating.

Hmm....still leaves the question. 18W or 28w?

go for 28w, that way if you decide to throw in some ferns/anubias/crypts later you wont have to switch bulbs. For the first week see how the plants do and algae especially. If you start seeing more algae then reduce lighting from 8hrs to 6-7.

5500K is fine, i used that on my 10g tank and last 29g. If you can find 2-14w bulbs that are 6500K then go for that.

[Mgamer20o0]

the more light faster they will grow depends on what you want..... but good point in remembering about the flow.

[Jag1980]

Here's a picture of my Moss in a 1.5 wpg shrimp tank, Bio-Wheel Mini filtration on a 10 gallon tank.
What is causing these brown parts?

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f192/Picturesfrom2006/mmmos.jpg