29 G Tank needs light.

[rustilldown_7]

I have a basic 29 gallon tank. Basically, I was able to keep a few plants that I bought at my local Petsmart alive for a few months in my 10 gallon with no problem about lighting. Now that I upgraded my tank, and added a few different plants, I am worried about not having adaquate lighting. I have been reading guides and posts and while I do understand some of what is being said, most of it is really bringing me down... (nervous laugh)

Anyways I would appreciate some advice as to what would be the easiest and fastest way to get some adequate lighting up. As of right now, I have a single flourecent bulb which I am guessing is probably something like a 25 Watt. I will have to check in the morning to be sure, and will repost the actual wattage. I think according to what the LFS lady told me, that the new plants I got are medium light plants so I would like to know how much WPG I would roughly need to keep them not only alive but doing some steady growing. Knowing that, I would also like to know what kind of setup would best work to create that WPG. Do I go with CFL, or some of the other ones which I can't remember at the moment? I am also very interested in DIY projects so if anyone knows some good ones that would be great. I would like to spend the least amount of money possible and preferably be able to finish the setup within the next few days. Any suggestions would be appreciated. If you need anymore information let me know and I will do what I can to find an answer. I know I didn't give much of it. (and again, nervous laughter)

[clb2196]

Do you know what kind of plants you have? That makes a difference in the lighting requirements.

For my 29 I had 2x36 watt fluorescent and I grew a tons of plants without a problem- swords, anubias, red swords, pennywort, ludwigia repens, crypt, things like that.

I did a DIY CFL upgrade last week- I put 80 watts over my 36 for $25! And it only took a half hour or so (well, not counting the wandering around Lowes trying to find what I needed part. :lol:) I used this as a guide, but doubled it and used 4 bulbs: http://www.aquariumlife.net/projects/diy-lighting/55.asp.

[bradlgt21]

If I were you I would just see how your plants react. I only have a coralive t-5 that is 36 watts over my 29 gallon. I thought I was going to have to upgrade but all my plants are doing great. If anything I have a algae problem with the leaves that reach the top. I think the whole WPG might be a little far fetched. Yeah they will grow best with the more light but so will algae. You can get some growth from your plants with lower wattage. Just observe the plants if they start dying off get more wattage.

[rustilldown_7]

Yeah I don't know what the new plants are... that probably would have been a good question for the lady. But she did say they were medium light plants. I guess I will wait a while and see what happens.

[customdrum]

workers at most pet stores are pretty worthless, there are a few out there im sure but i havent met one yet. you need to know what plants you have, post pics of them if you need help.
most plants at petsmart are low light plants.

i have 55 watts over a 29g and its great for low light plants. true medium light plants need more light co2 or ferts to do there best. medium light plants wont grow in the that tank (55w) well at all. if you stick with java fern,java moss,anubias,crypts, youll be ok with factory lighting. you may want to use excel and flourish 2x a week or root tabs to help the plants some.

[Daniel K.]

I have a 65watt CF tube over my 29g, it is plenty of light for most plants.

[andyjs]

Post some pics of the plants. People here should be able to tell what they are. If you got them at Petsmart, there is a chance some aren't even really fully aquatic

[jpappy789]

But none of the plants I have seen at the petsmarts in my area are high maintenance at all...you should be able to get away with 1-2 wpg.

An exact ID would be good though as mentioned.