wilson Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 hey just a quick Q how much light do i need for a planted tank (for red plants to stay red) tank is 76 X40X40 (cms) im thinking 2 T5s white and pink will this be ok? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilson Posted February 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 oh and this will be an upgrade for the tank i just have power compacts on rite now (dont know how strong) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon1990 Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 2 60cm t5s should be good. between 6500k-7500k i think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilson Posted February 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 sweet thanks dixon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon1990 Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 But...You might want a second opinion...Im no Lighting expert lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilson Posted February 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 yea im sure a few plant people will give me some ideas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon1990 Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 How Many Watt are the 2foots? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilson Posted February 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 48 watts all up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 The only red plant I know of which will grow Ok without realy intense light is alternanthera reineckii roseafolia which is usually sold as red hygro. The rest are realy pot plants and will do better on your window sill. I would think you would need around 60 watts of flouros at a minimum to grow plants in 400mm of water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nemines Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 check how many lumen the tubes put out, i think lifeglo 24w puts out about 1700 lumen, which is near double that of powerglo and aquaglo. for your tank size you'd need roughly 3300-5500 lumen, 5500 probably what you want to aim for since you want to grow red plants well. remember though that unless you back up all of this light with the correct proportions of carbon and other nutrients, it would be a waste of money buying two 24w t5 ho units (96w all up). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nemines Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 rotala sp. generally turn a nice red, also try osiros sword, horemani sword (red variety) or if you can get your hands on one may even a red tiger lotus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinsonMassif Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 check how many lumen the tubes put out Lumens are the measurement of brightness that the human eye can perceive. 1 lumen = the brightness of 1 candle light. Lumens have nothing to do with what plants use. The degrees kelvin is what you need to use, and/or the CRI - usually more than 89. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nemines Posted February 5, 2008 Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 i'm sorry vinson, kelvin is important. however, i was talking about light intensity not colour. 5500-7500k is good but without the right intensity you won't get excellent growth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 I think those tanks come out with a grolux type tube and a cool white so I would stick with that combo if you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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