View Full Version : Heater and plants?
bbrianhaag
10-21-2009, 12:18 PM
Does a heater affect real plants? It is a 100w. And what is a good 18in. bulb for a 60 gallon? My local Petsmart only carries 15-20watt bulbs that are 18in.
Thanks
petluvr
10-21-2009, 12:21 PM
No heaters will not affect real plants, and 18" bulbs I think the highest wattage for them is 20.
bbrianhaag
10-21-2009, 5:58 PM
Oh.. So I cant even get real plants than? Because what can grow with 2x 20 watts bulbs.. lol
stratusfearrr
10-21-2009, 6:14 PM
4o watts over a 60 gallon tank is very low lighting. Some mosses will grow in .67 wpg, but not many things will. I'd reccomend over hauling your light and get a 2x65 watt light strip (i believe most 60 gallons are 48 inches, so the normal is that type of fixture). if it is 48 inches, there are plenty of lights out there for around 100 bucks.
It all depends on how much you want to get into the planted tank idea
DoctaQ
10-21-2009, 6:19 PM
i had a crypt pop up a runner right behind my heater so no prob there, youre prolly gonna need more lighting than that unless youre satisfied with java moss and anubias with no growth
jpappy789
10-21-2009, 6:19 PM
I've "grown" several plants in .67 wpg (20w/30gal)
Anubias, cryptocorynes, vals, java fern, anacharis, pennywort (floating), guppy grass,...
;)
bbrianhaag
10-21-2009, 8:05 PM
Well it is going to be lightly planted, not a full planted aquarium. Just some real plants scattered around. Maybe the back of the tank will have the most.
18" bulbs are actually 15watt, the 24" is 20watt. The cheapest lighing upgrade atm, would be a 48" shoplight with 2 32watt 6500k T8 bulbs. Probably cost no more than $20 with tax at home depot or Walmart.
Crypts, Anubias and Jave Fern would be the optimal plants at that lighting level and would be the easiest and most bomb-proof plants for someone stepping into the planted tank game.
dundadundun
10-21-2009, 9:34 PM
I've "grown" several plants in .67 wpg (20w/30gal)
Anubias, cryptocorynes, vals, java fern, anacharis, pennywort (floating), guppy grass,...
;)
i don't know about the pennywort myself but i have the rest of these plants growing in a tank that's too low light for java moss. :)
18" bulbs are actually 15watt, the 24" is 20watt. The cheapest lighing upgrade atm, would be a 48" shoplight with 2 32watt 6500k T8 bulbs. Probably cost no more than $20 with tax at home depot or Walmart.
Crypts, Anubias and Jave Fern would be the optimal plants at that lighting level and would be the easiest and most bomb-proof plants for someone stepping into the planted tank game.
:iagree: don't forget root tabs for the crypts.
jpappy789
10-21-2009, 10:52 PM
The pennywort did surprisingly well. Floating at the water surface near the lights helped...but in terms of care it isn't demanding at all IME...like most floaters I suppose.