Thats what I have over my 52 gallon. What level of light would you say I have and is their much that I can't grow?
Thanks.
Thanks.
2.7 watts per gallon
- Thread starter trevor30
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you are in between low and high tech...hightech is usually greater than three. You can grow most things, but you will need CO2 and ferts.
Yes, you are in the mid-range, but...............
2.7 wpg of what?
NO?
CF?
There's a big difference in what that 2.7 can do.
Len
2.7 wpg of what?
NO?
CF?
There's a big difference in what that 2.7 can do.
Len
It is not CF, it is two dual light strips with 80 watts in one and 60 in the other. Three Power Glo bulbs and One natural day light bulb. The CO2 is getting added next Friday. I had asked in another post that on Plantgeeks site they rate plants by lighting needs. Those needs are rated at low, medium low, medium, medium high and high. So I guess I am trying to find out what category I fall into so I don't waste my money.
Thanks
Thanks
fresh - newby - here's one we agree on.......we're making progress....
Yes, you are in the lower region of medium lighting....lol.......sometimes I crack myself up over these light descriptions. It's just that I don't want to mis-lead you into thinking you can grow anything under that light.
There are quite a few plants that will perform very nicely for you. Even some reds if you stick with bronze/red Cryptocoryne, Barclaya Longifolia, and a few others.
The problem with NO lighting is that it doesn't penetrate as well as CF so the lower part of the tank won't get that intense light that many ground covers and red plants in particular need to flourish.
I guess my answer to your original question would be to stick with plants that are rated 'low - medium'. One ground cover that I think will grow nicely for you is E. Tenellus. I would give that a shot.
Some plants might surprise you. Even when rated med/high they may just grow for you so if there's one that you like in particular try just a couple and see what happens.
Len
Yes, you are in the lower region of medium lighting....lol.......sometimes I crack myself up over these light descriptions. It's just that I don't want to mis-lead you into thinking you can grow anything under that light.
There are quite a few plants that will perform very nicely for you. Even some reds if you stick with bronze/red Cryptocoryne, Barclaya Longifolia, and a few others.
The problem with NO lighting is that it doesn't penetrate as well as CF so the lower part of the tank won't get that intense light that many ground covers and red plants in particular need to flourish.
I guess my answer to your original question would be to stick with plants that are rated 'low - medium'. One ground cover that I think will grow nicely for you is E. Tenellus. I would give that a shot.
Some plants might surprise you. Even when rated med/high they may just grow for you so if there's one that you like in particular try just a couple and see what happens.
Len
I think red temple should grow fine in that light, should you want a nice deep red plant for some color. Rotala indica and ludwigia repens are also something to think about. I've grown those plants under lower lighting than you have, but admitedly they do look better with something a bit more intense.
Anyway. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Anyway. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Not sure how much a difference it makes, but power-glo lights are 18,000K and are probably weak in the red spectrum, which some consider to be the primary spectra for plants. That, in conjunction with the fact that they are NO, I would say stick with low-med light plants for the most part.
If you like the bluish glow of the power-glo's but want something that *should* be better for plants, you might look into the lightning rod T6 aqua-flora plus. Its a bluish bulb with a hint of purple, since its got a good red spike in it along with the blue. The T6's are also suppose to put out more light and higher effeciency than the larger bulbs like your T10. Just a suggestion.
If you like the bluish glow of the power-glo's but want something that *should* be better for plants, you might look into the lightning rod T6 aqua-flora plus. Its a bluish bulb with a hint of purple, since its got a good red spike in it along with the blue. The T6's are also suppose to put out more light and higher effeciency than the larger bulbs like your T10. Just a suggestion.
I also have some Penn Plax Aqua Lux bulbs that I could use in place of the Power Glo bulbs. My LFS actually recommended the Penn Plax but they didn't seem as bright. Also on my second light fixture would I be safe sticking with the Marineland natural daylight bulbs that came with it? Could the Penn Plax bulbs be closer to what you are recommending?