View Full Version : question on plant lighting
smokin
03-10-2009, 9:22 AM
hey i have acouple plants in some ten gallon tanksthe plants i have a guppy grass, java moss. how much light would i need to have them growing good.i have some 15 w plant and aquarium bulbs. above the tank already. but i dont see any thing growing they been if there for 2 weeks probly.
McLendon
03-10-2009, 9:41 AM
Rule of thumb is 2 watts per gl so 20 watts for a 10. At 15 your real close. Guppy grass is not a name I know.But java moss has always been a slow grower for me give it time
Fla_Larry
03-10-2009, 11:44 AM
Rule of thumb is 2 watts per gl so 20 watts for a 10. At 15 your real close. Guppy grass is not a name I know.But java moss has always been a slow grower for me give it time
actually that rule breaks down on smaller tanks ( 10 Gal ) you actually need more to achive the same level.
http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Tech/Lighting/
inkyjenn
03-10-2009, 1:33 PM
cheapest way to go is to get the compact fluorescent lights from walmart in their aquarium section. they screw right into standard incandescent fixtures, but provide a lot of light and are inexpensive
Fordtrannyman
03-10-2009, 7:51 PM
hey i have acouple plants in some ten gallon tanksthe plants i have a guppy grass, java moss. how much light would i need to have them growing good.i have some 15 w plant and aquarium bulbs. above the tank already. but i dont see any thing growing they been if there for 2 weeks probly.
If your talkin' a 15watt T8, that won't grow much of anything. Some floating Guppy Grass and Hornwort. Java Moss will stay alive but gets real scraggly.
An easy upgrade is a dual incandescent socket and two 14 watt daylight spiral cf's. Painting the inside of the housing gloss white helps too.
jpappy789
03-10-2009, 7:54 PM
I agree with the above. CFLs with an incandescent fixture from walmart has worked well for me.
Jag1980
03-11-2009, 5:48 AM
An easy upgrade is a dual incandescent socket and two 14 watt daylight spiral cf's. Painting the inside of the housing gloss white helps too.
Will this require the need to use fertilizers and Co2 with this amount of lighting? I got the same setup and my plants are staying alive but they are growing way too slow.
Squawkbert
03-11-2009, 7:59 AM
Not required, but CO2 and ferts will help, provided you have adequate light.
Jag1980
03-15-2009, 4:38 PM
Will using only 2 daylight spiral CF's at 9 watts each work, with no Co2?
smokin
03-15-2009, 6:29 PM
i got a black light fixture with plant and aquarium bulb. 2 of them are 18" and 2 are 24" all used above diff tanks.
Jag1980
03-15-2009, 6:53 PM
ok?