Lighting help

[Hebdizzle]

I am going to set up my 10 gallon as a hospital/additional fish tank.
I plan on growing plants, and using the Hagen natural co2 system. Most likely I would chose 50% flourite and 50% sand-blasting sand.

The tank is 20 inches length-wise, with an 18 inch bulb. What do you reccomend for lighting? (I haven't seen any 18 inch VHO bulbs).

Thanks for the help.

Aaron

[hatton3]

compact flourescents

[djlen]

What plants do you want to grow? Medium Light? High Light?
You can get a 15 watt "sunlight" or a "gro-light" which would give you 1 1/2 watts per gal. With CO2, in a short tank like a 10, you can grow many plants. If you want to grow plants that require more light then you'll need compact flourescents.
Len

[NJ Devils Fan]

I don't really know if it's a good idea to have live plants in a hospital tank since you will be adding meds and what not.

[gidget21]

to me no matter what kind of plant i have in my aquarium or wattage or what not i reccomend three hours of lighting a day is sufficient for plants i use hagen plant grow for my plants and they thrive beautifully in the aquarium.

[gidget21]

oh and in a hospital tank the meds won't hurt the plants it is hard on bottom feeders and snails but not plants.

[hatton3]

Only three hours a day?? I would say that the consensus here is to attempt a tropical photoperiod of about 12 hours.

Also, don't some medications that contain copper hurt plants?