To Much, Too Little Lighting

[jemram]

After a tank crash in my marine 18x18x18" (about 19 imperial gallons) cube I've decided to convert it to tropical. I want the tank to be planted but would rather not go down the CO2 route. Due to the design of the tank a hanging pendant is a MUST.

I've currently got a 14,000K 150W Arcadia Mini Pendant. I could change the bulb to a 5,200K 150W, but I suspect this would be far too much light at 7.8 WPG

Another option is the Arcadia Overtank Luminaire with the suspension wire kit fitted with Twin T8 14w tubes. This is the shortest Luminaire and the bigger units will over hang the sides of the tank. But I suspect this will be on the low side at only 1.4 WPG.

As I say I do want the tank planted but would rather not use CO2.

Has anyone got any advice or recommendations of other units.

Many thanks in advance

To give you an idea of the tank, this is how it was before the crash (also explains why a hanging pendant is so important).

 

[jemram]

Anyone?

I've worked out that the Arcadia Overtank Luminaire with Twin T8 14w tubes would give me about the same WPG as most of the standard Juwel tanks.

 

[demonmagus]

must admit kinda sad you're not carrying on with marine, that tank was awesome


anyways, maybe ask in the planted section? around 2.5 wpg is what you might look at

 

[n3ont3tra]

Without CO2 you'd need under2 wpg, if you have above that you'll need CO2 to keep algae at bay.

 

[jemram]

So at 1.4 wpg the Arcadia Overtank Luminaire with Twin T8 14w tubes should be about right?

Just want to be sure before ordering one tomorrow.

 

[demonmagus]

so you want a low tech planted tank? I don't want to sound mean (low techs aren't bad in any way) but have you looked around on the planted forum at what you want?

 

[jemram]

so you want a low tech planted tank? I don't want to sound mean (low techs aren't bad in any way) but have you looked around on the planted forum at what you want?

I have to admit I'm a bit of a planted tank virgin! But I would like some bogwood with Java Moss growing on it and a couple of small leaved species growing in the midground and something like Marsilea quadrifolia growing in the foreground.

Still playing with ideas though.