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As some of you probably already know. I have a current usa fixture that comes with two 96watt bulbs. I am using only one bulb right now on my 46gallon planted because I feel the second bulb giving me over 4wpg is too much considering my currenty diy co2, etc.

So I currently have about 2wpg over the tank. I was running the second bulb for about 5 hrs per day, to simulate higher light in the afternoon.

In my closet somewhere I have an AGA 110 Watt cf light that needs new bulbs. This fixture would give me 2.5wpg, which sounds like a good way to go with my situation, even if I go pressurized in the near future.

So what's the consensus out there. Stick with the 2wpg, go with the 4wpg full-time or part-time or replace the bulbs and go with the 2.5 wpg on the AGA fixture.

Also ---- Is there any difference between bulb brands (Coral-life, AGA, Current) assume that spectrums are the same. I noticed the coral-life bulbs are more expensive.

Last also (I promise)---- If you were buying new bulbs for your planted tank, would you go with 6700, 8000 or 8,800. AGA advertises their 8000k bulb as full spectrum.

Last edited by tetratech at 26-Aug-2005 06:34

My Scapes

Tetra,

What’s the matter with you

I thought you were going to get the CO2 system, or was that for a different tank? If so, you could split the line and use it in both tanks, given that they would be close to each other.

I think your decision on what light to use depends on your plants and the possible side effects.

What exactly is wrong with 4 wpg? In case it is algae related, I am sure Bensaf will be able to help out (like he does so often) in telling you (us) what causes the issue, I would assume it is improper fertilization.

What would be wrong with 2 wpg? Are you plants dying? If not, then you should just use this solution as it is already in place and doesn’t cost you any money to install.

Why go to 2.5 wpg? What do you expect to change in your plant growth? If all you would gain is a little faster growth, would that be really worth the effort?

About the light prices, I am by far not an expert in lighting, but I could imagine that the different prices are based on a) brand name vs. no name, b) better quality of material and gas used, c) different sockets (straight vs. square pin), and d) supply and demand rules.

About the K’s, I bought a 6,700 because it is the best for the plants (as my fellow FP members taught me). If I get a tank light with more than one bulb I will experiment with one 6,700K and the other either lower (5000K as Untitled suggested) or higher (10000K).

Hope this helps,

Ingo

Last edited by LITTLE_FISH at 26-Aug-2005 07:42

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Just making conversation Littlefish

I do plan on buying the pressurized system (probably the JBJ one), but even with that in place I'm not sure I want to use 4wpg, due to extra ferts, etc.

Not sure if my tank which is 18" deep is as good with 2wpg as yours might be, especially if growing carpet type plants. I believe Bensaf also thought the 4wpg was alittle much.

I have developed a higher and more consistent co2 level by using two 1.9 lite bottles and changing each bottle every 10 days :%) If my kh and ph are accurate I'm getting 20 to 30 ppm.

I'm adding kno3 a few times a week and it doesn't look like it's being used up that much. I'm also adding flourish trace and flourish postassium. As Bensaf knows all too well, I'm still not adding extra phosphate. I will probably purchase a phoshpate test this weekend and see where I am.

Right now my plants are growing, but I'm having some issues with greyish slime, and brownish stuff on my foreground plants. The brownish stuff along with the grey slime comes right off when I touch it.

I have also recently lowered my temp to 79f from 82f, which I think will be better overall for the plants. I'm going to try and attach a photo later tonight, since I just got a new camera.

My Scapes

Hi,
One of the "touchy subjects" on this site is the subject of
lights and lighting.

4 watts would be fine, you would have to have tanks that
resemble Bens' and mine, with lots and lots of plants.
Some should be fast growers, and then medium, and then
perhaps some floating.

Plants like the light in the red and blue ends of the
spectum. However if you look at plants with either red
or blue lights, the colors are all washed out and drab.

So, we make lights in between the two with "spikes" in the
appropriate areas (special phosphors). Lights in the
lower end (4000-5000K) range tend to be yellowish and can
be dim appearing. The colors of the plants and sometimes
the fish are not vivid.

Lights that are 10,000K and above tend to be blue or have
a progressively bluish tinge to them. They too can washout
colors.

Red light only penetrates a few inches into the water.
Generally speaking, tanks that are over say, 18 inches deep
will suffer from lack of light at the substrate as the light
is scattered and absorbed.
Blue light (shorter wavelength) penetrates deeper into the
water by many feet. 10,000K and higher are mostly used for
Saltwater tanks, expecially those that house corals and
other inverterbrates. They require that intense,harsh,light
that simulates the tropical noonday sun over a reef, to
live.

Usually, those with tanks 24 inches and over in depth, will
use a combination of a 6700K, and 10,000K, sometimes even
a 20,000K and 10,000K bulb so that they have the desired
wpg at the surface of the substrate where the plants are
growing.

Most prefer bulbs that are around 6700K to 8000K.
With these bulbs, the colors are truer, and the light
appears more like daylight.
The screw in, compact flourscent bulbs are rated at 6700K -
IF, and only IF, you buy those that are marked DAYLIGHT
or SUNLIGHT. Same with the "T" series (T-5, T-8, etc.)
Flourscent tubes, buy daylight or sunlight labeled bulbs.
Any of the "Warm" bulbs or "Cool" bulbs are
designed for reading and do not have the harsh glare of the
DAY or SUN Light bulbs.

Some of the so called plant bulbs are actually for
terrestrial plants and give off a pinkish purple light.
IMO, it looks horrible over an aquarium.

Frank


Last edited by FRANK at 26-Aug-2005 16:24

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Frank,

Thanks for that very informative response. I think you right about the density of the plants. My tank although it is thickly planted in a few spots I have alot of open area for schools of fish to swim. The back of my tank is not full of plants. It's more like left corner, right corner, small low crawling plants and some java moss. So I think that the 4wpg might be too much, but I feel the 2wpg isn't getting to the bottom plants effectively.

My Scapes