im currently cycling a 29 gallon tank. once its done im thinking of making it planted. As a general rule, how many watts/gallon am i going to want in order to grow: low light plants, low-moderate light plants, moderate-high light plants and high light plants. i bought the tank as a kit and currently it only has a 24" 17w bulb in it because thats what the hood came with. so any suggestions on what lighting i should have as well as how i can achieve it would be great
Lighting Watts/Gallon
- Thread starter Brandonv19
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thats why i was aksing for suggestions for amount of lighitng for low, low-moderate, moderate to high and high lighting, once i know how much lighting each category is, then i decide how much lighitng i can afford to put in, and then from there, figure out that plants i can put in based upon my max affordable lighting
Brandonv19 said:
Low light = 1.5-2 watts per gallon.
Medium Light = 2-3 watts per gallon.
Highlight = 3-4 watts per gallon.
To be honest i wouldn't even consider going more then 4 watts per gallon, as almost ever plant can be grown at that lighting. However, you should note once you get in the 3+ watts per gallon range, you often need C02. That can cost more, and as you have to buy regulators, C02 tanks, Fertilizers for daily-weekly dosing, more test kits, etc.
All depends on what you want. Research you plants first, and then find out what you need.
Here is a great link for plants that tell you everything about them, inlcuding how much light you need.........
www.Tropica.com
Just to let you know that it's not really necessary to cycle a heavily planted tank. The biofilter you are working to establish will actually compete with the plants. The biological filtration converts ammonia and nitrites into nitrates, but the plants use ammonia for growth (nutrients, basically plant food).
AHSupply retrofit
I suggest either a 55 watt retrofit from AHSupply.com or 2x36 watts. Slightly better coverage with the 2x36, slightly higher wpg. I did fine with the 55 over 29 gallons.
Either way, you strip out the guts of the light fixture you have and install the retrofit. Requires a drill, wire stripper, screwdriver, and a 1" circle cutting attachment for the drill is nice to add the vent. You may need a stainless steel bolt from local hardware store to mount the ballast on the back of the strip. It will look just like it does now on the outside, but for the ballast on the back, and the lighting is just what you need.
Or, add a glass top and buy a whole new light. Try PetSupplyLiquidators if you go that route.
I suggest either a 55 watt retrofit from AHSupply.com or 2x36 watts. Slightly better coverage with the 2x36, slightly higher wpg. I did fine with the 55 over 29 gallons.
Either way, you strip out the guts of the light fixture you have and install the retrofit. Requires a drill, wire stripper, screwdriver, and a 1" circle cutting attachment for the drill is nice to add the vent. You may need a stainless steel bolt from local hardware store to mount the ballast on the back of the strip. It will look just like it does now on the outside, but for the ballast on the back, and the lighting is just what you need.
Or, add a glass top and buy a whole new light. Try PetSupplyLiquidators if you go that route.