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Everyone, i'm a little bit confused, I think I have read too much!!!

I currently have a 49 gallon 48"x18"x13" aquarium which I am in the process of planting, a little at a time. My wpg is .7, I have anubias, crypts and swords and I know that this is very low light, alright for the particular plants i have but the swords are suffering a little.

I am looking at buying a new light, one that will hold 4 tubes @28watts each giving me 112 watts making it 2.2wpg. My confusion comes with the types of tubes to get. There are blue ones and pink ones and white ones ... WHICH ONES DO I NEED!!!!!

Also, what affect will such a large jump in wpg have on things? What about CO2, it confuses me as well, will I need it with that amount of lighting.

Please, some advice before I go out and buy this unit.

Thanks in advance - cheers

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Those who say they cant, Never will !!!

Easiest way to differentiate the flourescent tubes is by looking at the colour temp (indicated by the K rating on the tube itself). Ideally you'll want to get tubes that have colour temp around 6500K (usually labelled "Daylight" or "Sunlight" ) for good plant growth. Or combine some 6500K tubes with 10,000K tubes (10,000K tubes will show better colours on the fish and plants). BTW, do you don't need some fancy, brand-name, expensive tubes that the LFS sells. Bunnings sells them too (just look for the right colour temp).

Does the new light come with a good reflector (shiny, Aluminium-like thing above the tubes)? Make sure it does. Also, is there just one on/off switch or more than one (i.e. can you control how many tubes go on at a time)? If you don't plan to add CO2, I would recommend not going above 2wpg. 1.7wpg (= 3 tubes) would be perfect.

I did the same thing a few months ago, going from 0.7wpg to 1.7wpg in my 42g (non CO2) and it went well. The sword will definitely show improvement. Some of your crypts might melt initially due to the change, but this is only temporary and they'll grow back. Anubias won't care. Best of all, you'll be able to get a lot more variety of plants!

Good luck!

p.s. Don't forget your ferts! Once a week of micro ferts at the very least (depending on fish stocking).

-P

Thanks for all that information Upikabu. I will definately go and check out Bunnings prices now that I know what i'm looking for.

I was actually looking at a double reflector to start with - Heto brand with 2 x 36 tubes included (white in colour), but then they said they had this one that holds 4 slimline tubes. I'll have to check out the on/off switches, I know the double one does have separate on/off buttons.

I fertilise my plants at every water change with Sera Florena, really hard to get Seachem products where I live. I am also using the Macro fert tablets. Seem to be getting some positive results but nothing major.

I think i'll be ready to go shopping with this information. Thanks again.

Cheers
Crusha

Oh BTW your tank looks fabulous. I hope I can get the same results with my plants.

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Those who say they cant, Never will !!!

this one that holds 4 slimline tubes

Sounds like T5 tubes (which would explain the 28 wattage), which you probably won't find in Bunnings. They're more specialist tubes. Should still have the K rating on the tube though.

Another option is to use the Heto double reflector as your main light (1.5wpg). Then put your current light (I'm assuming single 36W fluoro tube) on a different timer so that it will go on for around 2-4 hours in the middle of the lighting period (boosting your lights to a little over 2wpg). That will mimic the intensity of the sun during midday and should work well.

You can get Seachem ferts easily on the internet (cheaper too). Even after postage you'll find that it works out much cheaper in the long run than the Sera Florena as Seachem Flourish is much more concentrated (recommended dose is 5mL per 250L tank water 1-2x a week).

Cheers!

-P

Hi again Upikabu, I was actually thinking about using my original light fitting with the double reflector. The thing is my tank is only 13" wide and that would take up just about the whole top of the aquarium, plus the lights are different models and wont look the same. I guess thats not a huge problem, there would still be enough room to put the food in.

I think at this stage I will go to the LFS and check out both lights. Price the 28 watt tubes and go from there.

Are you allowed to give me the online shop for the Seachem Flourish The Florena dose is waaaaay over that, like 5 times as much/week, thats why i'm only doing it every 2nd week at water change time.

Once again, thank you for helping me out with this, very much appreciated.

Cheers
Crusha

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Those who say they cant, Never will !!!