How Many Watts Do I Need?

[Nano Jake]

Hi, this is my first post.

I am about to setup a 60L [15galUS] planted tank. I plan on having dwarf hairgrass, java moss & fern. Maybe some Ricca & HC at the front.

I will be getting an Arcadia luminiere but not sure which one to get, I have two choices either a 2x15 T8 or 2x24 T5 the T5's are pretty much twice the price of the T8's but would give me 3.2 wpg instead of 2wpg with the T8's.

Which one do I get?


Jake.

 

[Themuleous]

If you want HC get the 2x24w, HC needs lots of light to carpet

Have you read the pinned estimative index article?

Sam

 

[frozenbarb]

Go for t-5... alot brighter and less heat

 

[Themuleous]

PS welcome to TFF

 

[Nano Jake]

Ok so I will go for the T5's.

Arcadia also do a 4x24 would that be too much? would the 2x24 be sufficient?

Is 3.2wpg considered high light? Also I will be using a nutrafin co2 system..

 

[Themuleous]

2x24 would be more than adequate I would think. Thinking ahead though should you ever want a marine tank 4x24 would be useful especially if you can switch the tubes on independently of each other which knowing Arcadia you probably can. So just run 2x24 of the planted tank then if you were to change to marines you could run all 4x24. But that might be irrelevant for you.

I would want at least two nutrafin kits running on your tank just to be sure there was enough CO2. Change them alternately three days apart. Or invest in pressurised, that would make your life a lost easier, although pressurized does cost.

Sam

 

[Nano Jake]

2x24 would be more than adequate I would think. Thinking ahead though should you ever want a marine tank 4x24 would be useful especially if you can switch the tubes on independently of each other which knowing Arcadia you probably can. So just run 2x24 of the planted tank then if you were to change to marines you could run all 4x24. But that might be irrelevant for you.

I would want at least two nutrafin kits running on your tank just to be sure there was enough CO2. Change them alternately three days apart. Or invest in pressurised, that would make your life a lost easier, although pressurized does cost.

Sam

Ok thanks 2x24 it is then. Do people with the Nutrafin kit use the ladder included or ditch it for something else? was wondering how to fit 2x ladders in my tank.

 

[Themuleous]

A ladder is fine, but people (including me) have changed them for glass ceramic diffusers. IMHO they look a million times nicer in a tank and take up less space. Running two ladders would be a good idea to get more CO2 into the tank

Have you read the pinned Estimative Index article?

Sam

 

[Nano Jake]

A ladder is fine, but people (including me) have changed them for glass ceramic diffusers. IMHO they look a million times nicer in a tank and take up less space. Running two ladders would be a good idea to get more CO2 into the tank

Have you read the pinned Estimative Index article?

Sam

So do you run two of these?

 

[Themuleous]

Nope, I'm far to lazy to run yeast CO2! I did for about 2 weeks then bought a pressurised kit, never looked back since. But pressurised does cost, I'll give you that.

Sam

 

[Castellop123]

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