[dj2606]

Firstly you have made the right choice asking questions before diving into this. Secondly welcome.


Having that much lighting with PC you will be fine (548/130=4.2wpg). This is plenty of lighting. Make sure it is fully setup before adding the plants.

If you like grassy, dwarf hair grass or narrow leaf micro sword will do fine.



What are your plans for Co2 and Fertilizers? Because this will be key factor in your fight against algae and healthy plant growth.

Co2, you could do the cheap DIY method but in the long run will cost much much much more than pressurized Co2. Fertz I recommend looking into the PPS-Pro method here at APC. It's cheaper using dry fertilizer's and this method is the easiest in my opinion to accomplish.

 

[dj2606]

548 is the wattage per Psittac calculation.
130 is the gallon of the tank

Well imo wpg isn't the most precise method in determining lighting in an aquarium. But can be used as and estimation. There are a lot of factors that contribute to the lighting. For example nano aquariums, or light intensity, types of plants being used, etc..

Also i would recommend using a t-5 setup but this was outside his capabilities.

Fertilizing:
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/pps-analysis-feedback/39491-newbie-guide-pps-pro.html
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/...dback/30659-how-make-pps-classic-pps-pro.html

 

[dj2606]

Sure no problem.

let's say you had a 20 gallon tank with 60 watts of lighting.
60watts/20gallons=3wpg

But if the person is using atinic bulbs this would mean nothing because the spectrum would not be beneficial. So this equation isn't exact just a guide to letting one see they are on the right track.

 

[dj2606]

sounds good. The more you read the more you and your plants will benefit. I still learn new things with this hobby constantly.


One last thing, injecting the fertilizer yourself is better than depending on the livestock and substrate( no matter how much it's mineralized ). Just my $.02.

 

[dj2606]

wpg applies to any bulb no matter the diameter. Its just that t-5 has a higher intensity so 3wpg of a t12 isn't as good as t5.


Psittac is the person who started this post and said he would eventually have a total of 548 watts over the tank.

 

[dj2606]

The above post is assuming they are the same bulb just one has a t12 diameter and the other having a t5