Watts for large tanks?

[chefkeith]

I have a new planted 190g tank with 6x55w cp light kits. The tank measures 72lx24wx26h, with about 3" of eco complete substrate. The lights are about 4" above the waters surface. Also have automated CO2 injection.

Here's an aquarium calculator that I've found to give me some help.-
http://website.lineone.net/~dave.mann55/petscabin/tankcalc.htm

Right now, I have 330 total watts, but this calculator is telling me that I'm currently at the minimun wattage for a low light tank.
Does this sound right or is there a different wattage rule for large tanks? Would my current 330w be enough? I could easily add 2-96w to my hood to give me 522 watts.

I thought I had plenty of light because the Amano tanks that I'm trying to immitate from Nature Aquarium World 1, which are 860l (or 230gs) have either 6x40w (240w) or 8x40w (320w) lights. How do Amano tanks get such great growth with so little watts and with low intensity bulbs (40w)?

It seems like all the planted tanks I read about on the net are 55 gallons and under, which isn't really helping me much. I'm hoping that someone with a similiar sized tank as myself could chime in.

My complete tanks specs are in the link below.

Thanks for any answers.

 

[tanker]

Well I have a 100gal heavily planted tank so I am almost at your level. I have 4 96 watt and 2 48 watt PC lights over my tank.

The watts per tank is different for tall tanks not big tanks. Tank that are taller needs more light or MH lights to penetrate to plants.

 

[ashdavid]

I think that site is giving some pretty good advise, but with bigger tanks you can probably get away with less light than what they are saying, I am talking about 200g and up. With your tank I would suggest going with the medium/high light value of 600w, that should be enough light for high light plants. In any case 330w is not enough for high light plants. Cheers