Best lighting for a 15g?

A

aquanoob

AC Members
Oct 19, 2004
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Hi,

Im looking to replace my stock 15W hagen hood.

Current setup :
15W
Hagen co2 + ladder

I narrowed my choices to 2 coralife fixtures:
- T5 2x14Watts freshwater (two 6700 bulb)
- PC 65W freshwater

So my question is wich one? I want to be growing light demanding plants but i fear the 65W fixture is going to turn my tank into a dosing/CO2 nightmare. I like the medium-maintenance. Is the T5 setup to little of a improvent?

btw AH supp. is not an option, im in canada, shipping kills it. :rolleyes:

Thanks!
 
There's no way around it, if you want the high light demanding plants you're going to need to worry about fertilizing and CO2. 2wpg with the T5 lights will give you plenty of options but they won't be enough to grow red plants or many of the foreground plants. So your choices are to stick to the moderate light plants or go for the higher output PC lighting.

Got any ideas on what plants you're interested in?
 
phanmc said:
There's no way around it, if you want the high light demanding plants you're going to need to worry about fertilizing and CO2. 2wpg with the T5 lights will give you plenty of options but they won't be enough to grow red plants or many of the foreground plants. So your choices are to stick to the moderate light plants or go for the higher output PC lighting.

Got any ideas on what plants you're interested in?
Click to expand...

Well, all i can grow now is java fern, java moss, and some minor succes with corkscrew vals and wisteria. At 1wp i was surprised but the co2 realy helps.

So at 2wp i can forget about red plants? mmh thats a deal breaker.. I was thinking about red Rotala or ludwigia.

The thing is, 4,3 wpg is a LOT! maybe some shader plants?
 
If the red rotala is rotala macrandra you're going to need 4wpg, difficult plant to start out with. If you mean rotala indica, it'll grow in 2wpg but may not turn purple, the same with ludwigia repens.

There are a few other options that will add color in the low to moderate light levels, like cryptocryne beckettii and tiger lotus, but they're not a vibrant color.

The thing with floating plants is they are nutrient sponges and you'll probably end up dosing more with them. If you think its too bright for your eyes, you'll get used to it quickly. I have 5wpg over my tank and I don't need sunglasses to stare at it. :cool:
 
hi aquanoob

I am no plant expert, but i have 2 red ludwigias, 1 anacharis, 1 cabomba and a bunch of java ferns and 1 anubias in my tank. I had the tank running with fish for about 2 months before I planted them. The ludwigia has put down tons of roots and the leaves at the top and 2" down are all red. ferns and anubias are doing fine as well. i have 19 watts of 10000k over 10 gallons.
 
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