View Full Version : Did my LFS lie to me? (lighting question)
Proteus
09-07-2005, 12:37 AM
I was curious as to whether or not the salesman at the LFS store lied to me regarding lighting. After reading up on it, it seems wpg needs to be kind of high for effectiveness. He sold me a lamp and said it will be all I ever need for my plants. I am thinking I need more and possibly something brighter (I have 29 gallons).
Here's what I bought:
Corallife T-5 series Linear Strip, 30 inch
Daylight T5 flourescent lamp
10,000k, 18 watts (has a reflector on the inside)
By my math, that's 1.6 wpg (or is it the other way around, 0.62 wpg?). I was reading that 2 wpg or 3 wpg is ideal.
My question are these: Do I need to buy TWO of these to increase my wpg? If I do buy 2, the lighting intensity would be similar, so would it even help? Do I just need to scrap it and buy something brighter? (Please don't say depends on the plants, I'm just asking about plants in general for optimal growth.)
Also a little off the subject, quick question. Are biofilters actually bad for plants cuz they displace the CO2??
phanmc
09-07-2005, 1:14 AM
Yup, he lied to you, no plants would grow with that little a lightsource. Even if you doubled up the lights you would barely be at the 1wpg. I'd return it and switch to compact fluorescent light instead. CF are much more intense than regular fluorescent and they last longer. They cost more but its worth it. If you want to reach 2wpg, then a 55w strip or 2x36w strip would be enough.
About the filters, I'm assuming you mean HOB filters since you almost always want a form of biofilter running. HOB filters can displace some CO2 because they tend to generate alot of surface agitation. The surface agitation doesn't cause a complete gas off of CO2 so you can still benefit from CO2 using a HOB. However, I'd still recommend a canister over a HOB in most cases.
Proteus
09-07-2005, 1:28 AM
Does it matter if it's a "high intensity" light? Some flourescents bulbs say 18 watts, and then say "compare to a 60 watt incandescent!".
Also, for the CF's, would it be effective to put those in an overhead light (like a pole reading light) over the aquarium, or do they make aquarium CF's lights?
Kissofthegorami
09-07-2005, 1:38 AM
Compact fluorescents are what most of us use. They come in aquarium strip light form. Try ebay. You will need at least 90 watts on your 29 gallon to grow good plants. Its a fairly deep tank.
phanmc
09-07-2005, 1:50 AM
Does it matter if it's a "high intensity" light? Some flourescents bulbs say 18 watts, and then say "compare to a 60 watt incandescent!".
Also, for the CF's, would it be effective to put those in an overhead light (like a pole reading light) over the aquarium, or do they make aquarium CF's lights?
all fluorescent lights are advertised as high intensity light and are compared to incandescants like that. The wattage per gallon guideline are taking into account normal fluorescent lights. They have hoods designed around CF lighting. alot of people recommend www.ahsupply.com for their lighting fixtures and reflector. I use the standard coralife CF fixtures for my tanks.
If you want to add some CO2 in any form and ferts and go for great plant growth then aiming for 3 wpg is a good idea. If on the otherhand you are looking at a low maintanence tank then 2 wpg will be fine for many plant types, just not all. If you start going over 3 wpg then I strongly suggest getting some sort of CO2 supplimentation for the tank.
yohkos
09-07-2005, 9:07 AM
I ordered my light from the net (Bigalsonline.com) because I found the LFS cost a lot more. You might want to look into that or DIY. I bought a Satellite (sp?) for my 20 L and love it. Good luck
The light supplied by the tube you bought is definitely insufficient. Hopefully the LFS will take it back and you can get something more suitable for a 29 gal. tank which is a pretty deep tank. I say hopefully because unless he/she knows nothing about a planted tank's needs, he/she mis-informed you.
The above suggestion for a 55 watt CF is a good one. It will light the tank nicely and penetrate the water much better than NO lighting. And if you plant heavily you can get away with not using CO2 injection.
IMO, you don't need 3 wpg to produce a nicely planted tank, unless you lean towards the deeper red species. Many of the reds can be grown at 2 wpg and many Crypts are available in bronze and red.
Len
Proteus
09-07-2005, 11:03 AM
Thanks for taking the time to answer. :)
Proteus
09-07-2005, 11:12 AM
Another quick question. Are these compact flourescents?
http://ahsupply.com/36-55w.htm
Just want to make sure.
IndianaSam
09-07-2005, 12:26 PM
Another quick question. Are these compact flourescents?
http://ahsupply.com/36-55w.htm
Just want to make sure.
Yup. I have some of those and they're great.
I currently have this over my 29g tank (http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=31566;category_id=1875;pcid 1=1843;pcid2=) and I think it does a great job for medium or medium-low plants. It's pretty cheap too. Get the legs and you can have a really neat open top aquarium (which I think is cool).
Left C
09-07-2005, 2:53 PM
Here's another option for your 29g:
http://www.aquariumplants.com/cgi-bin/cart/LT250.html?id=q4BXYDv8
Have a look at this, the 10,000K he sold you is for saltwater but, you're lucky that 10,000K will grow plants if you have enought of them:
http://www.esuweb.com/cardfile.asp?ItemNumber=58003&IDProductRelationship=333
This one would of been a better choice but you still need more than just one. I hate salespeople that sell you things that are actually wrong for what you are trying to accomplish and with confidence too. You buy it not knowing any better. You're depending on them to steer you in the direction.
http://www.esuweb.com/cardfile.asp?ItemNumber=58121&IDProductRelationship=336
Get the PC's like the other folks suggested. You can't go wrong with AHSupply's kits either.
Proteus
09-08-2005, 9:35 AM
Get the PC's like the other folks suggested. You can't go wrong with AHSupply's kits either.
I thought they recommended CF's? Are PCs and CF's the same thing?
Proteus
09-08-2005, 9:38 AM
What is the most cost-efficient (aka cheap) lighting do you recommend that will still grow plants in my deep 29g?
IndianaSam
09-08-2005, 11:16 AM
I thought they recommended CF's? Are PCs and CF's the same thing?
Yeah, they are the exact same thing. Just different terminology.
CF = PC
What is the most cost-efficient (aka cheap) lighting do you recommend that will still grow plants in my deep 29g?
I'm telling you this is well made, lights my 29g very well and is inexpensive (http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=31566;category_id=1875;pcid 1=1843;pcid2=).