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Re: [APD] How much lighting for a 36" 58G planted tank?
Thanks for the info Dennis,
I'm willing to spend up to about $500 (CDN) for lighting, as I know from
not having enough lighting previously just how limiting it is in terms
of what you can keep if you don't have enough lighting. A lighting
system that does not require cooling fans would be a nice bonus as I've
got a little eight gallon biocube running at the moment and its cooling
fans make a bit of noise (about the same as a PC, its noticeable when
the fan turns off/on). So I guess one of the light fixtures that is
passively cooled and something can stand on legs above the tank
(attached to the rim of the tank) would be nice too, so I guess it
sounds like I may have a preference after all!
The 4 x39w T5 system has dual ballasts, two cords and can be mounted on
legs above the tank so that could be the winner. Most of the Mental
Halide fixtures seem to require cooling fans, so that rules them out
unless there is a hanging system I've not seen yet. Does your 1.5-2wpg
rule of thumb only apply for PC lights or does that work for T5s too?
As then 58G would need about 87-116 and the 70G 105-140 watts of
lighting...
Sure suggestion of running two tubes all day and two for 5-6 hour mid
day burst sounds really interesting I've not heard of that being done
before, sounds like a good idea though. I'll need to see where I can
source a CO2 system next, not seen any in the shops locally other than
the yeast & sugar models.
Thanks again for the advice!
Daniel
-----Original Message-----
From: aquatic-plants-bounces at actwin_com
[mailto:aquatic-plants-bounces at actwin_com] On Behalf Of Dennis Dietz
Sent: 22 February 2007 11:53
To: aquatic plants digest
Subject: Re: [APD] How much lighting for a 36" 58G planted tank?
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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> Aquatic-Plants at actwin_com
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>
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