Standard Light Enough?

[rodeo-clown]

My tank came with an inbuilt hood. The lights included are two mini fluro's. 14000k, 18w each. Thats 36w total for a 90litre tank (approx 23 gallon US).

Is this a little on the weak side?

I do have a bit of brown algae growing in my tank too.

 

[leafs]

If you don't have real plants, then it doesn't matter. I believe you need at least 1-2 watts per gallon if you have want to grow plants.

 

[Dubby]

I would recommend atleast 2Watts/gallon for most common plants. If your tank is new then brown algae is common. Get hold of some algae eaters like shrimp, mollies, SAE, Otos to help you out.

 

[Ferris]

Brown algae is very common in new/fairly new tanks. It generally clears up in a couple of weeks but algae eaters will speed up the process.

 

[rodeo-clown]

I do have two plants at the moment, and they don't seem to be doing too well. A lot of brown algae on them, and some leafes are dying. Thanks for the tip on algae eating fish, I'll go out and get one.

 

[foty89]

I'd make sure that your lights really are what you think they are. If they really are 18 watt power compacts, that should be giving you roughly the output of 200 watts of incandescent light. That would be more than enough for any plant. Your bulbs may not be of the proper spectrum, and that would possibly hurt your plants. Also, the algae could be robbing the plants of food. Get some algae eaters and see how it goes. Don't get a common pleco unless you want a fish that will get to be a foot long and be cramped up in too small a tank.

 

[steelhealr]

Hi Rodeo...I"m surprised that no one asked what type of plants you have. If you want to keep certain types of plants that require a lot of light, then, your tank is definitely underlit. However, you CAN keep some type of plants that will survive under low lighting conditions. My ten gallon has a 15 watt fluorescent on it and my plants are THRIVING. I have multiple plants in my 46 gallon tank with a 30watt AquaGlow light and I have to keep pruning them too. Low light plants include java fern, java moss, and you might get away with banana lily and anacharis and water wisteria. Hygrophila in my big tank is doing great and it's been in for months now. Fish poop makes great fertilzer. LOL Good luck. SH