IronPatriot Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Hello there, I have a community tank of approx. 150L, length of 92 cm that I am (trying to) grow plants in. These plants are fairly hardy but need a bit more light to bring out their colours (eg red rotala) I would love some advice on what sort of lighting to use....I have done research before but always get lost in the seas of T-12, LED, tungsten..... So please, any advice would be much appreciated! I do not have heaps of cash to spend either (wishful sigh) Thanking you :dnc1: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Li@m Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 What are your current lights? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronPatriot Posted January 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 LEDs-- not the hugely expensive ones, but they worked well....for about a year. I quite like them, and would invest in some better ones except for the fact that all the better ones I have seen are rather costly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 How high is your tank - the depth of the tank has a lot to do with the type and amount of lighting you require. What are the plants you have? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morcs Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 A 90cm 150l will be a 40 gallon breeder I think. You'll need to spend $ to keep red plants red. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronPatriot Posted January 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 At the moment, I only have corymbosa and copper leaf (alternanthera reineckii) and an un identifiable spiky thing which reminds me somewhat of a flax bush. I would love to get some other plants, but need to sort out lighting. PS all my fish are non-plant eating, except the ottos which are tiny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 If you want to have red plants and your tank is less 30cm deep you might get away with good quality T8 light fittings with plant specific bulbs in them. If your tank is 40 - 60 cm deep you will need to go for T5 light fittings - again with plant bulbs in them. If your tank is more than 60 you will need Halogen lights. Red Plants require high lighting to get them to turn red and keep them red. For a good planted tank you will need as many bulbs on it as you can fit. Price for these lights is relative. You can get cheap light fittings but they are not necessarily high quality and may not last or you may not be able to get replacement bulbs to fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronPatriot Posted January 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 The tank is just over 30 cm deep, so I guess I should start looking for some T8s! Thanks for the advice--much appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morcs Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 http://www.amazon.com/Finnex-FugeRay-Planted-Aquarium-Moonlights/dp/B00GH9HURE This is what you need! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronPatriot Posted January 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Perfect :) I have checked some product reviews online, and one said that the finnex fugeray only outputs enough light for plants with low light requirements....whereas the ray2 is apparently better? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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