Help for a reluctant buyer

[Andy_R]

Thanks for the input. My initial thought was 2-3 watts per. But it sounds like that would be just a bit on the low side for a higher intensity set-up.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

i would start low and work your way up. you can always add more light.

 

[beviking]

Showing that some people have WAY too much time on their hands, here is a statistical regression analysis of the wattage Amano uses in his tanks:

http://www.fitchfamily.com/lighting.html

220W for 140 gallons.

Hey now, that's pretty neat!
When you get down to it, it's the amount of light needed to reach a plant that should be measured (they have tools for this) and not a relationship of watts per gallon. For any chlorophyll, it takes 'x' amount of light energy, not watts that power the bulb, to excite the chlorphyll into production mode. Deeper tanks require more light due to the loss of energy (light) at deeper levels. Red plants need more light (energy)...you'll notice Mr. Amano's tanks have the red plants closer to the surface (usually) so they receive more light (energy).

 

[Robert H]

It depend on the depth of the tank from the top to the bottom. Its not just gallons. I do not know what Rex he is talking about. Tanks over 100 gallons need MORE light not less than the watts per gallon rule. If your tank is 30" or more tall, you would definetly need more than 2 watts per gallon. My 100 gallon tank is over 30" tall. I had 440 watts of light on it for a couple years, before I dropped it down to 330 watts. I would never go any lower than that. Another alternative is Metal halide lamps. About 200 watts for each 4 square feet 5 to 6 watts per gallon would be overkill though, even for deep tanks

Note: HEY, how did I go from 2000 posts to only 247 ???

 

[Mgamer20o0]

from everything i read from him i think he knows his stuff. yes its true deeper tanks need more light to get the light down there. one of the reasons why i got rid of some of the taller tanks i had when i got into plants.