Lighting Large Tanks

[CarbonDreams]

Ive tried searching without too much luck, but im trying to set up the lighting for my 47x20x10 tank, and even with 4 36" 30watt t8s im still going to have very low watts/ gal. Does this rule still apply for larger tanks? What have other people had luck with. Im not looking for super high lighting, i just want some nice groth to fill out the tank.

 

[RadaR]

That's about 34 UK gallons.
120W over 34 gallons is plenty! That's quite high lighting. I'd reccomend you didn't start off with that much.

 

[Musho3210]

its aprox 40 us gallons, if you want to use the wpg rule (which i dont see why but its your opinion) you have about 3 wpg which can be considered high light and you will probably need to fertilize the tank more often and add CO2 to prevent algae.

If you dont want to add CO2, then get plants that you like but make sure they arent too hard to care for (like stay away from red leave plants unless you think you are ready for them) with this light and fertilize every so often. If you have constant algae no matter what you do to remove it (nutrient balance, scraping, water changes, algae eaters, phosphate removing products etc), just remove a bulb and see how it goes. Maybe when you can afford a CO2 unit, put that bulb back in and turn on your CO2.

 

[George Farmer]

I agree.

2 x 38w 42" T8 tubes should be fine.

That's an odd shaped tank. 10" wide or high?

 

[CarbonDreams]

I agree.

2 x 38w 42" T8 tubes should be fine.

That's an odd shaped tank. 10" wide or high?

its 47"x20"widex18"high (thats depth to sunstrate, which is 1.5" deep)
about 300 liters.

sorry if I wasnt more clear

 

[George Farmer]

OK. Your original post stated dimensions 47x20x10.

4 x 30w T8 with reflectors should be enough to grow most plants.