[Wet Thumb Forum]-Light levels for a natural tank?

[Rider]

Apart from a small planted aquarium, I also have a number of pot plants in the room where I keep my tank. The terrestrial pot plants are healthy, so I know that the level of natural light in the room is enough for them. Would that indicate that there is enough natural light for my aquarium plants?

By the way, I change the water in my natural tank more than Diana suggests. This is not because the tank needs it. I drain off enough tank water to water my (terrestrial) pot plants each week. The pot plants love it and it does no harm to the tank.

[Rider]

Apart from a small planted aquarium, I also have a number of pot plants in the room where I keep my tank. The terrestrial pot plants are healthy, so I know that the level of natural light in the room is enough for them. Would that indicate that there is enough natural light for my aquarium plants?

By the way, I change the water in my natural tank more than Diana suggests. This is not because the tank needs it. I drain off enough tank water to water my (terrestrial) pot plants each week. The pot plants love it and it does no harm to the tank.

[imported_russell]

is there a light on the tank or just the room lights?

[Rider]

The tank is about 10 gallons and has one 8 Watt, 30 lux fluoro and one 8 Watt, 20 lux fluoro. I have the lights on a few hours per day.

My question is this: if terrestrial pot plants adjacent to the tank grow happily in the ambient light (windows and a ceiling skylight), do the aquatic plants need anything more?

[imported_BobB]

Rider-That is going to depend on which plants. Some plants will require much more light than what you have, others will thrive.
Personally, I Like to toss in several different plants and let them sort it out. The ones that survive, you keep. The ones that don't, you put on your taboo list