[Wet Thumb Forum]-How to choose lights

[JohnArgentina]

Hi, if you can read spanish, a well know argentine aquarist did some research work about what kind of light is the right one.You can get the article here :
Light in the Planted Aquarium
If you prefer the easy way , at the end of the article there are some sample solutions to diferent aquarium setups.
Greetings from the south, Juan.-

[dwalstad]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Tarpals:
Thank you all for your responses to my post.

I have two aluminum bell-reflector fixtures that I am planning on suspending above this tank. They take your standard type threaded light bulb. I have also found a spiral Compact Fluorescent “Daylight” (5100k) bulb at my local BB.
Basically these lights:
https://secure.tcinternet.net/buylig...5000_hour.html

Am I right in assuming that two of these should work?

David.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hello David,

I don't see any reason why the lighting setup you've described won't work. That much light over a 15 gal should be pretty effective.

Aquatic plants are fairly adaptable.

Diana Walstad

[Ger]

David, are you considering 2 13w bulbs? I'm not aware of the light requirements for the dwarf plants you have in mind, but I would like to know why you aren't considering the higher wattage (> 20w) bulbs? Are you interested in supplementing with CO2?

I have a 55w PC (5000 degree K) over my 15 gallon (CO2 supplemented). One thing I considered when selecting my light was CRI. Ultimately, this may not be an important factor to consider, but I didn't want to deal with off-color casts to my plants and fish. At one point I swapped the 55 watt out for a 36 watt 6700K light, and the difference in plant growth was noticeably slower (wish I could say the same about the hair algae...).

-- Gerry.

[Leopardess]

I would just like to include a link for www.ahsupply.com. I think they've got some of the best kits running that are readily available and not badly priced either! I've got 2 36w kits from them (arrived within three days of placing online order) and any lights I plan to buy in the future will probably be from them. I will warn, however, that you need a drill and some very basic knowledge of wiring as they do not come preassembled.

Click here to see my tanks!

[Tarpals]

Ok...
The new tank on day two.....

15g
2x 27w Compact Fluorescent “Daylight” bulbs
1.5" potting soil
1" to 2" Flourite gravel

Cyperus Helferi - rear right
Cryptocoryne wendtii "brown" - left centre
Hygrophila corymbosa "compact" - center
Anubias barteri "nana" - on driftwood right & left
Glossostigma elatinoides - carpet

David...



Or here....
http://community.webshots.com/photo/...27664495NZFztc
....I can not figure out how to post pic.



[This message was edited by Tarpals on Thu March 25 2004 at 09:10 AM.]