Light Depth

[arulnathan]

hello everybody,

I have a Tank which is 30" x 18" height x 12" depth, And I have one Bio-Lux tube (24 inches with 20 watts, without reflector) fitted in it... which gives a purple type light, as dealer says its good for the plants. Please advise...is this light sufficient for my tank or do I have to add more tubes in them. and what is my wattag reading in the tank now....how to calculate my light for the tank.

Thanks in advance
Nathan

 

[Silly me]

you have+- 1.5wpg. I would recomend a second tube. but doesnt need to be a biolux tube a fullspectrum tube ( also 20W ) would give you the needed edge to grow plants..

 

[zig]

You have less than 1 watt per gallon lighting your tank now, your tank is 30x18x12 and this gives the total volume of your tank as approx 23 UK gallons 28 US gallons or 106 litres.

You use as a general rule of thumb watts per gallon WPG (US gallons)

To grow low light plants you would need 1 watt per gallon

Medium light plants would require approx 2 watts per gallon

To be able to grow most plants you would need 3 watts per gallon

Im not familar with the tube you are useing right now but if it is of the correct spectrum ie. anywhere between 5000 and 10000 kelvin it is suitable for growing plants.

The best option (and cheapest) for you right now would be to find out the kelvin rating for your tube and BUY A REFLECTOR for it, and this would allow you to grow low light plants, Java Fern, Java Moss and anubias dont require much light.

If you plan on upgrading your lights use the WPG as general guidence, any extra tubes you add must be of the right spectrum and always use reflectors.

Read the pinned topics at the top of this forum for more guidance on plants and what light level they require.

If you do a major upgrade in your lighting to 3 watts per gallon you will need a co2 system, these can be either bought or you can do a DIY system.

Basically read through the threads here and this will help you a lot, but if you want to keep it simple go for lighting in the 1 to 2 watt range.

And lastly besides lighting plants require a suitable substrate and regular feeding.

Good luck..................

 

[arulnathan]

Thank you all for suggestions...

nathan