Lighting a 20"x19"x10" planted tank.

11-26-2003, 12:07 PM

I have a 20"x19"x10" tall tank with an Eclipse 1 system. The ligthing includes 2 x 15W bulbs. I am afraid that would not be enough for a lushly planted aquascape. Any recommendations to bring the light output to standards?
Thanks.
PS: Tank has a plenum, with a dual layer of eco-complete substrate + tahitian moon sand on top. Also include a CO2 Natural Plant System

11-26-2003, 10:55 PM

30watts should be enough light for the normal plant life in a FW aquarium.
I only have a 40 watt on my 72 gallon bow front and I have to trim every week.
I truly believe that the sand you add to your tank is just as important and enough light.
If you ever see a bag called Texas sand use that as it is cheap and works great.

Matt Rogers · 11-27-2003, 05:43 AM

Just like reefs, lighting really depends on what the heck you put in there.

I have a Eclipse 6 (6 gallon) with 18 watts of PC lamps in it. Check it out in the freshwater X section.

The reedy Lilaeopsis brasiliensis plant that I started with was a mistake. The LFS and I didn't know anything about it and it died off over a month. I hunted down info and sure enough it has strong light requirements. Ignorance is no excuse, I screwed up, know your plants.

The najas and the other stuff I have in there are doing great though with the 3 watts per gallon I have.

cmontana · 11-27-2003, 09:25 AM

Hi guys,
Thanks for all the info

I agree that one should know each plant requirements. I guess I'll stick with low to medium light elements.
I'll post photos once the tank is fully setup, and will keep you updated.

Here is the rule of thumb I have found about light levels:

1.5 - 2W/gal: low light
2 - 3W/gal: medium light
3 or more W/gal: bright light

By the way, Matt, thanks for this superb Web site! And yes, I did read all about FreshwaterX. As a matter of fact, that was my inspiration to start my own tank

Matt Rogers · 11-27-2003, 10:10 AM

[quote author=cmontana link=board=Freshwater;num=1069888065;start=0#3 date=11/27/03 at 12:25:46]By the way, Matt, thanks for this superb Web site! And yes, I did read all about FreshwaterX. As a matter of fact, that was my inspiration to start my own tank *

[/quote]

Thanks. That's cool!

[smiley=thumbs_up.gif]

Keep us posted. Thanks for joining!

[flash=468,60]http://www.3reef.com/fish/sitepics/threesteps3.swf[/flash]

11-30-2003, 09:42 AM

What are these plants Matt?
They grow like weeds and I use no CO2.
40 watts of light in a 72 oceanic bow.

The Angel fish here has 8.5 inch trailers and he is my pride and joy. Still looking for the right mate for him.

Matt Rogers · 11-30-2003, 04:14 PM

Nice tank!

My first guess on the plants would be some kind of Micranthemum.

12-01-2003, 12:21 PM

[glow=blue, 2, 300]Some times the new leafs will have a reddish tint to them if that helps.[/glow]

Covey · 08-09-2004, 03:56 PM

Those are hygrophilia. If the come in real there sunset hygro. I have both.

Covey · 08-09-2004, 03:59 PM

Those are hygrophilia. If the come in real red they are sunset hygro. I have both.

11-26-2003, 12:07 PM	#1
Guest Guest Posts: n/a Skin: Mint	Lighting a 20"x19"x10" planted tank. I have a 20"x19"x10" tall tank with an Eclipse 1 system. The ligthing includes 2 x 15W bulbs. I am afraid that would not be enough for a lushly planted aquascape. Any recommendations to bring the light output to standards? Thanks. PS: Tank has a plenum, with a dual layer of eco-complete substrate + tahitian moon sand on top. Also include a CO2 Natural Plant System

11-26-2003, 10:55 PM	#2
Land_Fish Guest Posts: n/a Skin: Mint	Re: Lighting a 20"x19"x10" planted tank. 30watts should be enough light for the normal plant life in a FW aquarium. I only have a 40 watt on my 72 gallon bow front and I have to trim every week. I truly believe that the sand you add to your tank is just as important and enough light. If you ever see a bag called Texas sand use that as it is cheap and works great.

11-27-2003, 09:25 AM	#4
cmontana Plankton Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Santa Ana, CA,California Posts: 9 Skin: Mint Karma: 1	Re: Lighting a 20"x19"x10" planted tank. Hi guys, Thanks for all the info I agree that one should know each plant requirements. I guess I'll stick with low to medium light elements. I'll post photos once the tank is fully setup, and will keep you updated. Here is the rule of thumb I have found about light levels: 1.5 - 2W/gal: low light 2 - 3W/gal: medium light 3 or more W/gal: bright light By the way, Matt, thanks for this superb Web site! And yes, I did read all about FreshwaterX. As a matter of fact, that was my inspiration to start my own tank

11-27-2003, 10:10 AM	#5
Matt Rogers KingFish Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Berkeley, Ca. Age: 43 Posts: 12,325 Skin: Mint Karma: 12432121	Re: Lighting a 20"x19"x10" planted tank. [quote author=cmontana link=board=Freshwater;num=1069888065;start=0#3 date=11/27/03 at 12:25:46]By the way, Matt, thanks for this superb Web site! And yes, I did read all about FreshwaterX. As a matter of fact, that was my inspiration to start my own tank *[/quote] Thanks. That's cool! [smiley=thumbs_up.gif] Keep us posted. Thanks for joining! [flash=468,60]http://www.3reef.com/fish/sitepics/threesteps3.swf[/flash]

11-30-2003, 09:42 AM	#6
Land_Fish Guest Posts: n/a Skin: Mint	Re: Lighting a 20"x19"x10" planted tank. What are these plants Matt? They grow like weeds and I use no CO2. 40 watts of light in a 72 oceanic bow. The Angel fish here has 8.5 inch trailers and he is my pride and joy. Still looking for the right mate for him. Attached Thumbnails

11-27-2003, 05:43 AM	#3
Matt Rogers KingFish Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Berkeley, Ca. Age: 43 Posts: 12,325 Skin: Mint Karma: 12432121	Re: Lighting a 20"x19"x10" planted tank. Just like reefs, lighting really depends on what the heck you put in there. I have a Eclipse 6 (6 gallon) with 18 watts of PC lamps in it. Check it out in the freshwater X section. The reedy Lilaeopsis brasiliensis plant that I started with was a mistake. The LFS and I didn't know anything about it and it died off over a month. I hunted down info and sure enough it has strong light requirements. Ignorance is no excuse, I screwed up, know your plants. The najas and the other stuff I have in there are doing great though with the 3 watts per gallon I have.

11-30-2003, 04:14 PM	#7
Matt Rogers KingFish Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Berkeley, Ca. Age: 43 Posts: 12,325 Skin: Mint Karma: 12432121	Re: Lighting a 20"x19"x10" planted tank. Nice tank! My first guess on the plants would be some kind of Micranthemum.

12-01-2003, 12:21 PM	#8
Land_Fish Guest Posts: n/a Skin: Mint	Re: Lighting a 20"x19"x10" planted tank. [glow=blue, 2, 300]Some times the new leafs will have a reddish tint to them if that helps.[/glow]

08-09-2004, 03:56 PM	#9
Covey Scooter Blennie Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Davenport IA Posts: 1,219 Skin: Mint Karma: 532	Re: Lighting a 20"x19"x10" planted Those are hygrophilia. If the come in real there sunset hygro. I have both. Attached Thumbnails

08-09-2004, 03:59 PM	#10
Covey Scooter Blennie Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Davenport IA Posts: 1,219 Skin: Mint Karma: 532	Re: Lighting a 20"x19"x10" planted Those are hygrophilia. If the come in real red they are sunset hygro. I have both.