Re: [APD] How much lighting for a 36" 58G planted tank?

[Dennis Dietz <dennisdietz at verizon_net>]

4x39 T5 HO would be very nice.  They should have 2 ballasts and cords so 
you can run only 2 tubes all day with the other 2 for a 5-6hr mid day 
burst.  This technique works very well.  PC would be fine,e specially 
for the 58 gallon but the depth of the 70 gallon begs for a bit more 
light.  In that case I certainly recommend the 4x39 or a 150MH plus 
enough light to get even coverage.

My best suggestion would be to decide how much money you are willing to 
spend, then buy a light in that budget that provides the most wattage 
while having some flexibility.  You don't mention CO2.  If you want high 
light you will need CO2 supplementation though if you do not want to use 
CO2 and plan on having only lower light plants than 1.5-2wpg of PC would 
be plenty for either tank. Still, it is always best to have a little 
more total light than you want with the ability to not use all of the 
tubes at the same time.

Hows that for a wishy washy answer?

Dennis

 Brown, Daniel wrote:
> Another day another question from me it would seem.
>
> I've pretty much settled on getting a 36" aquarium (due to space
> reasons, I'm in a condo), either a 58G (36.5x18.5x21) or a 70G
> (36.5x18.5x25) for my new planted tank now I've settled into Vancouver &
> Canada a bit.  Stand, Tank, filtration and heating equipment seems
> simple enough choices for me but lighting is proving more difficult,
> previously in the past I've never had much choice about what lighting
> I'm using as my tanks were second hand or bought as complete kits.  This
> time is different as I'm building the set-up from separately bought
> components and the array of options is truly bewildering my LFS are very
> helpful but they are primarily a marine outlet so their idea of enough
> lighting seems a bit extreme for a freshwater tank!
>
> So my question is how much lighting is enough for a 36" 58 or 70 gallon
> planted tank?  I know this is a bit like asking how long is a bit of
> string but bear with me!  Previously I've used a single 18" tube for a
> 24" tank or two small powercompacts for a 65L, I know I want more light
> than that but in my local fish store they have 36" lighting arrays with
> 4 x 30w or 4 x 39 T5 tubes which seems like allot of lighting for a tank
> that size (but I'm no expert on lighting), I want good lighting so I get
> good plant growth but I don't want too much lighting that its complete
> overkill (the store also has Metal Halide, Power Compact and high power
> Marine LED lighting arrays)...
>
> If its any help I'm thinking the tank will be a planted South American
> dwarf Cichlid setup with some German Blue Rams, Rummynose Tetras,
> Hatchet fish (or maybe Endlers), Pygma Cories and Ottos (or a BN).
>
> Cheers,
>
> Daniel
>
> PS: If its any use this is my LFS lighting catalogue:
> http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/tcategory/lighting.php
>
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>   

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