I have a 20 gallon high set up that I would like to have low, medium and maybe high light plants in. I need to buy a new hood with a light, but Im not sure how to determine what bulb needs to go in it. My daughter is also getting a 14 gallon for Christmas that I would like to do the same thing with. How do I know what bulbs to get?
How do I know what lights I need?
- Thread starter jillire
- Start date
you'll wanna look into T5's or even power compacts. along with a good solid carbon source, stay in the 1.5 to 2 watt per gallon range and you should get good results with some flexibility in plant choices. there is another thread going on right now called "cheap lighting". good info if you're willing to do a little DIY. also, bulbs will need to be in the 5000K to 10000K color range. also read the thread, "1.8watt/gal with nice red plants". there is some really good info in there, as well as some good leads for more.
Thanks for the reply. I looked at the threads you suggested for some ideas and will look them over a little more later. Im guessing that I will need two bulbs for the biggest tank since the wattages dont seem to be high enough in a single bulb, but I cant find a hood that holds two. Im assuming I can probably buy replacement light covers/holders, but I havent seen them anywhere. What do you mean by a good solid carbon source? Is that in the light or in the water?
For plants to flourish, they have a few basic needs. Light, carbon and nutrients. If your goal is to keep some medium to high light plants, then you will need to supply them with carbon and nutrients to go along with that light.
In one of my tanks, i am using pressurized CO2 as a carbon source. In another smaller, lower light tank, I am using Flourish Excel as a carbon source. Both options work. There are other options as well.
Regardless of the plant, it will do better with a good source of carbon.
There is a ton of information around with regards to growing aquatic plants. The more you know, the better prepared you will be. I've learned that there is a lot of counter-intuitive information for planted aquariums as opposed to fish only tanks. Do some reading.
One of the links provided in the aforementioned threads is this.....
www.tropica.com
Read the articles on that site for some 101.
Come back with any questions you might have.
In one of my tanks, i am using pressurized CO2 as a carbon source. In another smaller, lower light tank, I am using Flourish Excel as a carbon source. Both options work. There are other options as well.
Regardless of the plant, it will do better with a good source of carbon.
There is a ton of information around with regards to growing aquatic plants. The more you know, the better prepared you will be. I've learned that there is a lot of counter-intuitive information for planted aquariums as opposed to fish only tanks. Do some reading.
One of the links provided in the aforementioned threads is this.....
www.tropica.com
Read the articles on that site for some 101.
Come back with any questions you might have.