how much light is needed...

[zippodcr]

Hi - I've got a 90g bow-front i'm planning to set up as live planted tank. I'm planning on using 2 x 96watt CF and 3x48" flourescent run on a 430 ballast. This tank is 29" high, and i'm concerned about getting enough light to the bottom to have moss, etc. i hope i don't need to go MH. Think this enough light?
Thoughts? Thanks!

 

[Mgamer20o0]

what kind of light is 3x48" flourescent... just reg shop lights? that should be fine for a planted tank.

 

[zippodcr]

The 430 ballast says it's capable of running 3 48" VHO bulbs; these would be 110 watt each. (It is capable of running T5, but only 2 of those). I was thinking of using 2 10k and one 50/50 (just because i have them from a previous 55G SW setup). Along with the 2x96W CF would give me a total of 522 watts in a 90 gal.

 

[Star_Rider]

if you use all of those fixtures and they are in the right spectral range you will have over 500 watts of light over a 90..

or about 5.8 watts per gallon..the wpg rule is pretty much tossed on large tanks
you would probably have enough light but also enough to have possible problems with algae.
what plants are you thinking..and are you also planning on pressurized CO2?
might get more answers if you post in the planted tank forum.

 

[zippodcr]

I knew that WPG wouldn't be an accurate guide on this one, especially since it's a 29" high tank. I had not considered algae though, it appears i may be approaching overkill? I'm not going to use CO2 but plan to use Flourite substrate blended with some small natural gravel i have.
I'll post over in plants forum too, good suggestion. Thanks!

 

[zippodcr]

Hi -
I posted this question over in General topics forum
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97923
But it was suggested that it might be better suited here.
I just got a 90g bow-front & i'm planning to set up as live planted tank. I'm planning on using 2 x 96watt CF and 3x48" VHO flourescent run on a 430 ballast. That's a total of 522 watts. Seems like a lot but this tank is 29" high, and i'm concerned about getting enough light to the bottom to have moss, etc. No CO2 planned. Think this enough light? Too much?
Thanks.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

think thats a little overkill. over 3-4 wpg most of the time just isnt needed. you will prob need to add co2 and ferts and start out with a lot of plants. i would go with one of 2 x 96watt CF or 3x48" VHO flourescent and see what happens.