Regarding Lighting

[nagukush]

Hi Friends !

My 250 Liter, 4 Feet tank, came in with a Tank Top Cover and lightings.

The Lights are 3 x 30W Flourascent Tubes. Actually I dont have much knowldege about lights and all I can say is that they give a Pinkish-Violetish-whitish light

What are these lights and can I grow any plants under these lights ? If not, then which color or type of lights can I replce these tubes with to enable me to grow atleast a few plants. Kindly advice friends.

Thanks !
Regards
Kush

 

[jpappy789]

You can probably grow most low light plants as you have just over 1 wpg.

 

[nagukush]

You can probably grow most low light plants as you have just over 1 wpg.

Hi there !

Thanks for the kind reply and for caring

Are there any foreground plants that I can grow with these lights ? I would love to see some green carpet on my substrate I hope I'm not asking for too much

Kindly advice if I can keep any such plants and a few examples of them.
Thanks !
Regards
Kush

 

[jones57742]

Kush: I am not a plant guru but:

The Lights are 3 x 30W Flourascent Tubes. Actually I dont have much knowldege about lights and all I can say is that they give a Pinkish-Violetish-whitish light. What are these lights ...

Kush:
My best guess from your description is that your bulbs are 6700K bulbs (these bulbs emulate Sun light).

and can I grow any plants under these lights ?

At the beginning level, which is where I still am, IMHO plant growing is 1/3 brief experience, 1/3 tons of internet research and 1/3 voodoo.

The internet research is very important as you will learn about substrates, fertilization, etc.

I believe that you can grow plants with you current lighting.


Please google for "low light aquarium plants".

TR

 

[crows4hire]

I am still fairly new to the planted tank world, but I believe that 6700K bulbs emit in the hard yellow range.... it will make your water look decidedly "pee yellow"... as such I don't think your lights are in this range.
See http://www.coralreefecosystems.com/ltg_qa.htm#What is color temperature

for Coralife's definitions of color range..
I think you will be fine for low light plants, but ground cover or any plant that has red highlights is going to be out of your reach with these bulbs...
in addition, you need to be careful with the age of the bulbs. If you suspect they are more then a year old, discard them! They will only bring you grief (and algae... lots and lots of algae) Consider replacing them with 2 10,000k and one 6700k. Even with this change however, you will still be low on total wattage for your tank size. I figure your light load to be around 1.5 watts per gallon. This is sufficient for low light plants hygrophillia, java fern or vallisneria. Anyways, hope this helps and good luck!