Lighting Recommendations...

[paulkat]

Hi,

I am getting very close to completeting cycling my tank and I want to get everything right before finishing and adding fish.

I have a new Fluval Vicenza 180L (40 UK Gal), which comes with 2x24W T5 Strip lights.

Am I right in calculating this at 1.2 WPG or should it be worked out on US gallons which would be .96 WPG.

I have real plants in the aqaurium, but not large amounts, and I don't want to introduce CO2, therefore should I keep the lighting under 2 WPG?

I would like to give the plants the best possible light without the need for CO2, so would this be 1.5-2 WPG?

I guess I am looking at upping the combined wattage to 60-70W rather than 48w.

Can anyone advise on the different type of lights, I've seen different colours, day glow, blue, all sorts and not really sure what I need??

Should I have 2 different types of light??

What does T5 mean compared with T6 or T8?

Sorry for all the questions, but any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Paul.

 

[BNyleen581]

PaulKat,

Try this one for size it should be all of what you need: http/www.fishforums.net/Basic-Guide-to-L...ing-t96754.html

As for the T's they are the type of bulb. There are only two types you can interchange and I can't remember which ones they are.

My opinion is you need more light, but not much. And make sure you get all the plant spectrum's covered, IE: Full-Spectrum or Tri-Phosphor lights.