[loadsa]

In the process of setting up a 60"Hx18"Wx24"D tank with a 40x15xa8 sump (had enough of marines)
Want a planted tank.
How much light will I need I have at the moment
Aqua Medic twin 150w halides
2 D&D T5 units 1200mm
2 T5 compacts running Actinics
I will also be buying a pressurised co2 unit.
Do I need the halides?
What would you run out of these
Also would you use the sump to grow fast growing plants as extra filtration
Thanks

 

[Bert H]

Welcome to apc, and to the planted side. Lighting-wise, on a tank that size I would think around 2.5wpg (watts per gallon) will grow you pretty much whatever you want. The depth of the tank might be an issue for short foreground type plants, but others with large tanks can chime in here and give you suggestions. The actinics are worthless for plants.

 

[loadsa]

Thank You for the welcome
I am working on the tank having 112 galls so with substarte etc we are talking roughly 110
110x2.5wg = 275 watts. So I can either stay with halides and remove all the T5s or I could use them the other way round.
Does that sound ok
Thanks

 

[Bert H]

Wattage-wise that sounds ok. Never having used MH's, I can't comment on the merits of them vs T5's. You might want to check out the 'Nano, large aquarium...' forum for info on stuff for large tanks. Guaiac boy has a nice thread on the setting up of his 180.