Newbie with planted tanks

[colin5861]

I have set up one planted tank as a community tank. The tank is 24" x 12" x12" and when I told the LFS that I need a light for it - as a planted tank - I was sold a 15 watt power glo tube and 15 watt starter unit - total cost about £30 sterling.

My plants are not doing too well and when I read your forum it seems that I have been totally taken to the cleaners on lights.

Am I getting confused here ? Please can anyone explain

Colin

 

[aquamanis]

Hi Colin, roughly working out you have about 12-13 gallons. Good lighting for plant growth is a minimum of 2 watts per gallon you can see straight away that you don,t have enough light. The tube you have is good but not enough by itself. If you can try adding another 15watt (this is minimum) dayglo tube and you should see some improvement in plant growth. You can,t really give plants too much light but I like to think of my fish as well, they dont have eyelids so bright lights can cause some fish distress.

 

[odjbo]

Yes, I would also add at least 1 more tube...

You will see results, guranteed...

Another aid may be to buy plants that need only dim lights...

Check out:

http/www.tropica.com/default.asp and choose, then place an order with your LFS or possibly order on-line...

ALSO, try daily dosing drops (Fertelizer) for your plants... Outstanding results !

D.

 

[colin5861]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Tell me -does the extra wattage have to come from neon tubes or can I just rig up a waterproof connection for a 25 watt incandescent bulb ?

Colin

 

[aquamanis]

Colin, its important that you get a tube with the right spectrum. Incandescent bulbs have most of thier light spectrum in the yellow range where plants don,t use it. Specially made agraculture tubes have thier main light in the blue and red spectrum to promote photosynthesis. However different makes and models of growtubes look different to the naked eye, some have a pink tinge while others have a blue tinge. And some look white like the dayglows. Its best to mix a couple of these different tubes to obtain a pleasing (to the eye) look as well as a full light spectrum for the plants. I find the powerglo which is pink and a dayglow which is whitish blue go well together.

 

[colin5861]

OK thanks for that info - I will either have to figure out how to rig another tube in the hood or upgrade the lighting I have.

Thanks for the help

Colin