I have 65 gallon tall with many low light plants like Amazons, hornwort ect and they don't look like they are suppose to. Most of my plants lack color and I know its most likely due to my lighting? I have the light that came with the tank and Im wondering on if I need to invest in some better lighting. I want my plants to be solid green not light green or looking like they are detiriorating. Also I dont have any kind of CO2 in the tank either.
Light type referal?
- Thread starter Snow1576
- Start date
Ok, low light tank. Shoot for 1.5 wpg gallon. You need to up the lighting to total wattage of about 100 watts. Looking for a light with color temperature between 6500k and 10,000k.
That'll make your plants nice and happy.
That'll make your plants nice and happy.
If you go to a low light tank, you should not need CO2 although it can help improve the plants some even in low light. A low light tank is any tank with less than about 1.5 WPG. For a 65 that means anything less than about 100 watts. Retrofit kits are available from places like AHSupply to get you there on odd sized tanks but a 65 is 4 feet long if I am not mistaken. For a tank that length, a simple 4 ft fixture with 2 T-8 bulbs in it would take you to about 1 WPG and would be enough for many low light plants. As JMHart said, a spectrum of 6500K to 10000K would definitely also help.
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i'd suggest some plant supplements to go with the higher light you may have... just drop 'em in(the solid kind)
My 16 gallon is a low light tank. I've got a 40 watt CPF on top of the tank. I come in at about 2 WPG... I've got java fern and some medium light plants in there doing incredibly well. I only add Excel, and some liquid ferts at every PWC... I've had no need to Dose C02 at that WPG.
My 20 gallon is probably 2.5 WPG, with similar mix of plants... and no difference in behavior.
You really need to get up to about 1.5 WPG - Depending on your budget, you can get there on the cheap for about $20, or you can buy a CFL Aquarium light for about $100 to $140. Depends on whether you want pretty or utilitarian in appearance as well.
My 20 gallon is probably 2.5 WPG, with similar mix of plants... and no difference in behavior.
You really need to get up to about 1.5 WPG - Depending on your budget, you can get there on the cheap for about $20, or you can buy a CFL Aquarium light for about $100 to $140. Depends on whether you want pretty or utilitarian in appearance as well.
6x39w, great for 65w tank.
http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/product_info.php?cPath=71_136&products_id=1418
http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/product_info.php?cPath=71_136&products_id=1418