MatPat

When I started in the planted side of the hobby in late 2003, I seem to remember 2 watts per gallon (2 wpg) being the cut off point for when CO2 was needed in a planted tank...CO2 was not necessary under 2 wpg but would be needed above 2 wpg. Back then, most of my reading on this "theory" was found on the The Krib and people were generally using shop lights with inefficient (by today's standards) T-12 fluorescent lamps and magnetic ballasts. It seems the watt per gallon "rule" was created based on T-12 lamps and magnetic ballasts.

I now see the same recommendations (2wpg) given as a cutoff point for CO2 usage regardless of what type of lighting an individual chooses to use over their tank. Today, most of our lighting is not only more efficient than the T-12 shop lights and magnetic ballasts of the past but it is also much more intense. T-8 lighting, compact fluorescent (cf) lighting and T-5 lighting is now available for use over our aquariums. These systems manage to squeeze out more light per watt than the old T-12 shop lights and most have a better quality reflectors as well.

In the past, I have ran three T-8 shop lights (192 watts or 2.5 wpg) with very poor quality reflectors over a 75g tank and ran into algae problems when CO2 supply was inadequate. Even after dropping back to two T-8 shop lights (128w or 1.7 wpg) I could still create algae issues with less than adequate CO2 supply. A fellow SWOAPE member, NeonRob, uses a TEK fixture with two 54 watt bulbs over his 75g tank. While this is less than 1.5 wpg he still runs into algae problems when his CO2 tank runs dry or he has less than optimal CO2 in his tank.

I understand reflector quality and light output can vary depending on the brand of fixture used but how can we give proper guidance to someone new to the hobby with today's more efficient and intense lighting systems?

Should we try to revise the WPG "Rule" to make it easier for new hobbyists to succeed with a planted tank?

Does an aquarium with 1.5 wpg of AHSupply lighting need to have CO2?

Does an aquarium with 1wpg of T-5 lighting need CO2?

What are your recommendations as far as lighting and CO2 usage are concerned?

jeff5614

I definitely think it needs some revision. I, like your friend, have 2x54 T5HO over a 75 gallon and my plants grow like weeds and can't even imagine trying these lights without CO2.

MatPat

Wow, one response out of 70 views? Ya'll have to have some kind of opinion on the different types of light we use over out tanks

I see so many new folks starting out with 4 or even 6 T-5 lights over their tanks and in my opinion that is way too much light for most hobbyists. In this thread dooboogoo want to use a 2x55w AHSupply kit over his 29g tank and in this thread, BJRuttenberg is asking for a clearer, more concise guide to help people with lighting their tanks.

Granted, there are a few who can manage veryhigh levels of light, but most of them have been in this side of the hobby for years and don't run all of the lamps at the same time. Light is the primary driver when it comes to plant and algae growth. If someone puts too much light over their tank and ends up with algae issues it can be a real pain to get that fixed. What better way to loose interest in a planted tank than to create an algae farm?

Tex Gal

I agree with you Matt. I just went fast track for 8 mths now and am loving it. I didn't even think about wpg before then. I have learned so much in the 8 months. Before then I went to the LFS and he called his supplier and I ended up paying 2x's a much as I would have. At least I got decent lights. That was about 4 yrs. ago. But I still didn't get the light/ferts/CO2 thing. All I knew is I needed fert tabs, excell and light. Didn't get the rest.

I'm not sure how you get to any general rule of wpg now however. Lights have gone high tech themselves.... When you consider all the "T" bulbs out there and then add the HO and VOH... But don't forget about the reflectors, none, mylar, sheet metal, aluminum, white paint (pure white or gloss?), etc.. It gets mind boggling. We haven't even mentioned type of bulb yet.... I doubt anyone can get to a general rule unless they qualify what bulbs, the reflectors, the tank depth....

There are so many variables. It gets confusing. I think that's why so many people ask for light help.

Left C

There would also need to be wpg recommendations concerning the size of the aquariums as well as the different lighting types that are available in today's market.

... like nano, small, medium, large, extra large, giant or something similar.

ericpop27

I think what we basically need is an excel spreadsheet that has the types of lighting on one side and the types of carbon on the other.

T-8, T-12, HO, VHO, CFL, MH, etc.
Flourish Excel, DIY CO2, Pressurized CO2

And then in the middle it could specify which wpg you'd need to have it at.

MatPat

I would agree with you TexGal. I had very good luck with Toninas and Eriocaulons with about 3wpg of T-8 lighting (overdriven of course) and no reflectors. The light was simply reflected off of the top of the canopy, which was painted gloss white...not the most efficient form of reflector but it worked none the less.

There are so may lights out there today it can be very confusing. Most everything out there today is much more intense than the T-12, magnetic ballast powered shop lights of years ago. Is it safe to say, in your opinion, that 2wpg of AHSupply lighting is the upper limit or should that be a bit lower for your tank? Assuming of course you are using AHSupply lighting.

Indeed. I think the width of the tank also comes into play...you can get very similar results in both a 55g tank and a 75g tank with the same fixture over both so how does this play into the equation?

This is a good idea! An Excel spreadsheet or even a chart might be beneficial...something similar to the KH/pH/CO2 charts we used to use. It would get people into the ballpark much better than suggesting 2wpg of light, regardless of their tank size. I do not feel that DIY CO2 is very practical on tanks much over 30g though. I even had algae issues (mostly hair algae) with 2wpg of T-8 light (the typical lights that come with a 10g tank) over a 10g tank. The normal dose of Excel was not sufficient in this case to keep algae away but doubling the dose did cause it to receed.

What would the wpg limit be for Excel or DIY?

ericpop27

As far as the tank sizes go, we can repeat the chart for each range of tanks. Maybe from 1-20 Gals, then from 20-55, 55+ or however it is best to break them up.

You know, it must be right AT 2wpg that people have trouble. Even with standard lighting.

Afyounie

This is a really good idea. Splitting the spreadsheet into multiple sets is a good idea.

I know that when you get down to the nano size you need a lot more light than you think you do. I have 80W over my 10 gal, and it is finally growing nicely, but not out of control. I have 45 watts over my 20g and everything grows like weeds. I have pressurized co2 on both.

Tex Gal

This is a prime example of why we can't say 2wpg, even if we had the same fixture with the same bulbs. I love the spread sheet idea. It just might work.

Where is Hoppy's input?! He did great things with that light meter.....