Lighting

[aks]

Hello All...

I am starting a new tank which i want to be a planted tank the tank is of same specification as my discus tank 48 inches length and 24 inches high and 18 inches deep....

Now about lighting i know watts per gallon rule but i found an online link which suggested takashi amano's watts per gallon rule....http://www.fitchfamily.com/lighting.html

Secondly what role does Kelvin Rating play in light and how is it useful for plants...I was planning on 4x 36watt 6200 K Phillips day light tubes how do i know its enough :)......

By the way I have a DIY Co2 system,fertilizer tablets and liquids with necessary trace elements but its the lighting i need to finalise :)

Help will be greatly appreciated

Aks

[ILLUSN]

Kelvin rating doesnt mean much spectrum is more important for the plants, 6500k works well as bright daylight light, i use 2 6500k and 2 growlux bout 8500k and it's pinking white

[ILLUSN]

sorry forgot to mention my new tank is the same dimensions as yours 4x2x1.5

[Roy]

There is a lot of discussion about the k rating of different tubes and what you should use. But the WPG rule is a good place to start (just did the calcs and im currently running 5 wpg....) aim for around 2 wpg depending on what plants you intend on having.
I would look at a mix of k ratings with the aim of getting around 6500k-8000k overall.
Are you using T8, T5 or PC flouros ?

Roy

[aks]

what can i do is i will increase it to 5x36 watts 6200K lighting that is equal to 180watts will that be enough or i need to do more? I think they are T8's y the way Does these T*'s or T5's represent the lighting power or what?

[ILLUSN]

t8 is a 1 inch (25mm) thick tube a t8 is a 5/8 thick tube (bout 12-14mm) t5 are either 36,37.38 or 40W each (4 foot length) T5HO are 54w each. T8 have a usable life of bout 6-9 months T5 bout 12 (some claim 18month but i'm yet to see it) 180w is bout 2w/G which is ok with co2, as your bulbs get older replace them with 40 T8 (Lifeglo2 or power glo by hagen are proably the brightest). use good reflecors so you dont waste any light.

[ILLUSN]

t8 is a 1 inch (25mm) thick tube a t8 is a 5/8 thick tube (bout 12-14mm) t5 are either 36,37.38 or 40W each (4 foot length)

sorry guys should read t8 is a 1 inch (25mm) thick tube a t5 is a 5/8 thick tube (bout 12-14mm) t8 are either 36,37.38 or 40W each (4 foot length)

[aks]

Lemme get it straight....Thicker the tube the better and Kelvin rating doesnot play an important role?

[ILLUSN]

sorry mate you've got it the wrong way round. the thinner the tube the better (more efficient, less restrike when using reflectors, higher wattage and hence higher output, easier to fit more under your hood) kelvin is the colour the light looks, plants dont care what colour the light looks like only what specrum is emmitted (the actuall colour wavelengths which make up the light namley strong peaks in red @600nm and blue @440nm) human eyes see the diffrence in kelvin (pink light purple light white light and blue light).

[aks]

Ok i had an idea about that but all that size thing confused me... I have a DIY hood and i have to make reflector myself any ideas? i was planning on using aluminum foil which is used in kitchens as reflectors...Secondly tank is 1.5 feet wide how much distance should a tube be placed from the other?

[ILLUSN]

I've used aluminum foil as a reflector before, i thought the results were quite good, a few people have told me that it reflects mainly blue light (proably why the red horemanni's did so well) i used to use 3 double 4 foot t8 lights (each was about 15cm wide) over the top, spacing isnt important so long as the whole tank is illuminated.

[aks]

So i should put couple of layers of aluminum foil on the inside of the hood...The install lights...Secondly 5*36w T8's would be enough?

[ILLUSN]

should be fine i've done well with 2-6, 5 should be perfect. go the al foil it's cheap and gets the job done in a few years when funds are available you can always add real reflectors

[aks]

Yes this is a temporary arrangement....Secondly the height of the tank is 2 feet is it difficult to spread light in high aquariums.

[aks]

Can you post some pics of your tank so i can see how it is doing :) It will help me in plant selection as well.

[duck]

It is said that alfoil is not good because it difussors? the light not reflect it and it is said that painting the hood white will reflect the light much better

[aks]

what about the lighting is it sufficent?