Aquarium light

[Phyroath]

I have just replaced my 61w fluorescent bulb with a new 18w Toshiba planted tank aquarium bulb (made in Thailand). The manufacturer said it has a special spectrum to promote plant growth- Watbrighter. Does an 18w is enough for my 65g tank? or should I keep with a 61w (normal fluorescent bulb). My tank receive some sunlight in the morning about 2 hours - I should not actually but space is a concern.:help:

 

[Cory Keeper]

not near enough.

Spectrum really isn't your concern, the amount of light your able to put over your tank.

whats the length of this bulb btw? is it a PC? no way you can go from 61 watts to 18w without changing something other than the bulb.

 

[Draal5]

We need more information on your lighting fixture and that bulb you replaced.

a 65g is 36 7/8 x 19 x 24 5/8 an - 18w t8 bulb is 24" something is a miss

The short answer is if the light was working before for your plants you MAY be fine depending on the temp. of the bulb 6,500 k to 10,000 k going up in the k rating would be fine going down would not. if we assume that the watts are the same.

there are a lot of factors to lighting general rule is 2 w per gallon except bigger tanks the rule does not work.

type of plant/s you have/want?

 

[Phyroath]

Thank. Actually it is 24" long tube bulb not PC. 47" (36watt) is available however it does not fit with my hood- same length. I also has another smaller moon light (12") attached to the hood but turn it on only at night for viewing. The watt spec is on the bulb itself - I like its spectrum on the plant and fish but I have to compensate the impact on the plant.

I have only a few plants - 4 Amazon Sword, hairgrass and Java fern. Should I go for two of the same kind of bulb or should I find alternative lighting fixture?

 

[Mgamer20o0]

61w is prob better though i never seen a 61w bulb before.

 

[loaches r cool]

I was wondering about the 61W also... thats a rather odd number, typo? But yeah, 18W isnt going to cut it even its a super efficient with polished parabolic reflector, the best it would probably do is just keep low light plants alive but not really growing. You'd probably want about 4 of those for a good low light plant tank.

 

[Phyroath]

Thanks to all. I think I did not check the wattage thoroughly. Since I replaced it, my hair grass leaves rot and die from the tip. I am planning to have both the (60w + 18w) this weekend. Not really because the availability of the lighting fixture but we try to be on the economy front - Cambodia electricity is more expensive than other countries in the region.