Lighting System

[ARXC08]

I don't think my lighting system is giving enough lights to my plants so I went to my LFS and looked for some new lights. I found something for planted tanks that says it simulates natural light or something but its only 30 Watts and its for a 36 inch tank. Following the basic lighting rule i need a least 80 watts for my 40 gallon. Will that one there selling at my LFS work? BTW it is called Nutrigrow Freshwater Aquarium Plant Lamp.

Here a link to a some info on it. Nutrigrow Freshwater Aquarium Plant Lamp

They also have these
Coralife Spectramax Super Daylight Bulb

 

[Walt]

I have 1 of these 48", 40 watt Nutrigrow Freshwater Aquarium Plant Lamps in my tank, and i think its a great bulb.

I also have 2x65 watt compact 6700k bulbs as well...

While the bulb is good, the WPG still applies.

At a total of 170 watts, im at 3.4 wpg on my tank....

 

[ARXC08]

Correct me if i'm wrong. So these can't replace my lighting system completely? Cuz that what i'm looking for. I don't have the room on my tank for two lighting sytems

 

[Walt]

Generally, hoods that come with tanks wont allow you to get as many bulbs as you truely need for a plant tank...
I just tossed my hood, and got a glass top... then i could lay a hood that held more bulbs on the top...
As you noted, youd need 80 watts to be at the 2 WPG mark.

Course, nothing says you need 2 WPG... a low light tank can work great as well... and, anything over 2WPG should start to have CO2 injected too...

That said, the Nutrigrow bulb is a good one, but its only 30 wats.. and 30 watts is 30 watts.... and if you have 30 watts now, it wont 'add' anything to it.. although maybe its a better 'color'/spectrum then the one youre using now.....

Walt

 

[ARXC08]

Well i think i solved my problems sort of. Compact Fluorescent Lamp I'm looking at the 34 inches that are 96 watts. But my tank is 36 inches so it won't fit. How can i imporvise?

 

[George Farmer]

Welcome to the planted forum ARXC08.

How "serious" are you about a planted tank? Be aware that if you intend having over 2 Watts per Gallon in your 40G then you will need CO2 injection. Are you willing to take this step?

If so then I recommend these lights - http/ahsupply.com/

As with most planted hobbyists you will need to DIY to a certain degree to achieve decent light levels.