Lighting For Dummies Please!

[Tonalea]

Okay, so in my research I've read about the important of watts per gallon, then I read somewhere watts don't matter, it's lumens that matter, and then you throw in the Kelvin numbers and I'm just lost in a sea of information and numbers. I read the break down of everything on PlantGeek, but I'm still feeling kind of lost.

I have a 29 gall. I currently have easy plants (java ferns, anacharis, hornwort) and I want to get some different plants (and just have better lighting in general). Currently is the bulb it came with, a 20 W bulb. I don't want to spend a whole ton of money, but I do want to get what is necessary to grow some different plants and make sure that the ones I have grow well. Plus I don't really like the yellow look of this one.

So.... I will continue searching, but in the meantime, maybe you all could break it down one more time for me? haha, thanks!

 

[The Zigman]

Kelvin rating is just the color of the light.
The higher the K rating, the more blue the light is.

Most plant tanks do well with light in the daylight spectrum, about 6700K

I usually shoot for more than 2 WPG, but if you have a deep tank, you may need more. Most of my plant tanks do well with onlu 2.5 WPG or so. One has about 3.4 watts per gallon.

I have never really been concerned with Lumens..

 

[Tonalea]

Thank you. Right after posting this, I found a few more helpful threads and a nice article.

So basically I need 60 or so watts around 6700 K. Okay. Now off to search. haha

 

[67chevelle]

This one will let you grow all types of lowlight plants in your tank.It will be less than 2wpg,but unless there are specific types of plants you want to grow,that need more light,this one should be fine.
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/209809/product.web

 

[Tonalea]

Thanks for the link! I was also considering this one: http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU...5/cl0/coralifefwt5aqualightdoublestriplight30

 

[lilcavy2]

These are great links, thanks for posting 'em!

 

[67chevelle]

LOL, you have good taste,it's the same light.
I have 3 of them and they have worked very well for me.

 

[Tonalea]

Omg I feel like such an idiot. I was in a hurry because a friend was coming over and didn't even realize they were the exact same thing. Hahaha, embarrassed!

 

[bigwater]

I have the light in the link in the 4 foot version on a 55 and its a good light. I was thinking of taking the 55 watt pc off my 29 and getting one. That is the only 30 inch bulb unit I have seen, the 22-24 inch bulbs don't light the ends of the tank well. Plus for 55 bucks and it also comes with bulbs:clap: