I have recently purcahsed a 29 gallon aquarium, and I have been wondering: what is the optimum light watts per gallon in a planted tank? I've heard of anywhere between 2-5 watts per gallon, and would like to know what works for everyone else.
general rule for watts-per-gallon
- Thread starter themadblimper
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It really depends on what you intend to grow. A tank filled with anubias and java fern at 5wpg would be serious overkill. On the other hand, a tank running 1.5wpg with rotala macaranda would produce less than healthy plants, if they grew at all.
Actually, I'm trying to grow purple cabomba, amazon+radican+brazilian swords, vallisneria, saggitaria, green hedge, and wisteria.
Just a note that your green hedge won't grow at all regardless of the light you give it. It's not an aquatic plant at all. You might want to consider replacing it as it will die submerged in water.themadblimper said:
Roan
The java fern might grow, slowly. The swords could use a bit more light.Onikun said:
Purple cabomba is typically considered a fairly high light plant. It might grow under medium lighting but won't be as vibrant in color and will not have the bushy look. As far as I know, brazilian swords are not true aquatic.themadblimper said:
I'm sure the standard hood for a 10g has 15w of light. An alternative to buying a new fixture is to retrofit your own. AHSupply has a kit for smaller tanks.swimfast said:
My Tall 25 has 1.2 WPG.
I use Eclipse II Hood with one "Daylight" and one "PowerGlo" of which both are 15 Watt flours.
I have an anubias coffieeola that I can't kill even if I wanted to, some swords, Vals, Anacharis, & Baby Tears.
recently been moving things around to optomize the light available, but everything I got is growing nicely!
I use Eclipse II Hood with one "Daylight" and one "PowerGlo" of which both are 15 Watt flours.
I have an anubias coffieeola that I can't kill even if I wanted to, some swords, Vals, Anacharis, & Baby Tears.
recently been moving things around to optomize the light available, but everything I got is growing nicely!
Cabomba furcata needs 3+wpg in order to turn the vibrant purple. Brazilian sword and the green hedge are not true aquatic plants and will die if totally submerged. The other pants will do fine in 2wpg.
reiverix said:
Thanks for the link, I have the esame queston for my 10 gallon. It has a Topfin type Plastic Hood with glass piece where the light fixture goes.
I looked in to the conversion and it says
"Used this way, we've found that these small light strips will not get as warm as some larger strips such as a commonly available 2 x 30 watt aquarium strip - either on top or inside near the bulbs. NOTE, however, that you should not use a light strip retrofitted with two 13watt CF bulbs on top of a regular plastic tank cover. That could get so hot that your thermally protected ballasts might shut down - especially if the ambient temperature is high."
Does this mean I can't do it?
Is this my best bet for a 10g planted tank on a budget? (plants flourite DIY CO2, Maybe some Guppies n Snails)
What would be a good kit for a 20L terrarium/aquarium with only a few inches of water? I don't want to Nuke my toads and Newts with heat.
Both my aquariums have the same topfin plastic hoods with glass where the fixture is placed....
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