I am setting up a new 140-gal planted tank. I’m going for a Dutch Aquarium look. This will be my first go at a plant tank. My others have been fresh and marine community tanks so I’m looking for advice. I have a pretty good handle on the chemistry and I’ll be using forced CO2 with some type of reactor. My main concern is lighting. So what type of lighting should I be looking for? I’m really looking at CFs for economic reasons but I’m hit with a multitude of differences between them (the fixtures) when I go shopping. I’m a bit gun-shy about making a purchase. Any advice would be appreciated.
Help for a reluctant buyer
- Thread starter Andy_R
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i agree. if your going with CF lighting get them from ahsupply.com. they make the best reflectors around.
thats a whole lot of light your telling someone to put in their tank with out letting them know they will have to add co2 and ferts and lots of plants so they dont get a lot of algae.
4 to 6 watts per gallon on a 140 gallon is at least 2X too much light. It would help to know the dimensions of the tank in question though.
The WPG rule breaks down on small and large tanks. Think under 20 gallons and over about 75 gallons.
On any tank in that size range 6 watts per gallon is a HUGE amount of light and would cause you nothing but grief unless your full time job was taking care of the tank.
The WPG rule breaks down on small and large tanks. Think under 20 gallons and over about 75 gallons.
On any tank in that size range 6 watts per gallon is a HUGE amount of light and would cause you nothing but grief unless your full time job was taking care of the tank.
One of my all time favorite quotes regarding planted tanks comes from Karen Randall in her article "Lighting for the Planted Tank"
yeah wow not that much light necessary. I find a nice balance between 2.6-3.6 works well for everything I need to grow....
Hi Rex...glad to see you have your avatar set up
Anyway, I have heard good things about T5's, although I use Metal Halides...
Hi Rex...glad to see you have your avatar set up
Anyway, I have heard good things about T5's, although I use Metal Halides...
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Absolutely!
I'd shoot for 2wpg in your case...maybe. As Rex said, it'd be helpful to know the measurements of the tank
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.
http://www.fitchfamily.com/lighting.html
220W for 140 gallons.