well i just set up my first planted tank. i've had freshwater tanks for the last 9 years or so but they've all been with plastics so i finally made the jump. I have a 3g eclipse and i want to make the lighting a bit better.
I currently have Echinodorus argentinensis, java fern, and....mondo(sp?) grass. I did my research a little too late on the mondo grass so it will be in the trash asap. I plan on having some HC in the forground and some Lilaeopsis mauritiana or Didiplis diandra as my other background plant and maybe some java moss on my drift wood.
My two lighting options are (1) adding another 4 watt 8" florescent to go along with the stock 6 watt or (2) retrofitting 2 incandescent sockets and putting two 13 watt flourescent bulbs in them in replacement of the stock lighting. I kinda want slow(ish) growth with my plants simply because i dont want to trim them too often, but if they won't grow healthy and eventually die under the 10 watt option, i'm willing to retrofit up to 26 watts. Which option should i go with? would the HC be fine under 10 watts?
I currently have Echinodorus argentinensis, java fern, and....mondo(sp?) grass. I did my research a little too late on the mondo grass so it will be in the trash asap. I plan on having some HC in the forground and some Lilaeopsis mauritiana or Didiplis diandra as my other background plant and maybe some java moss on my drift wood.
My two lighting options are (1) adding another 4 watt 8" florescent to go along with the stock 6 watt or (2) retrofitting 2 incandescent sockets and putting two 13 watt flourescent bulbs in them in replacement of the stock lighting. I kinda want slow(ish) growth with my plants simply because i dont want to trim them too often, but if they won't grow healthy and eventually die under the 10 watt option, i'm willing to retrofit up to 26 watts. Which option should i go with? would the HC be fine under 10 watts?