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What lighting is needed for a planted Aquarium?
Sometime in the very far future, I would love to set up a planted discus aquarium, and I was wondering how strong the lighting would need to be. I am thinking probably a 65 gallon. Some plants I am looking at are:
Amazon Swords
Anubias Nana
Hornwort
Java Fern
Wisteria
Anyway, I was looking at a 78 watt T-5, that seems a little low but im not sure... If not would 2 78 watt T-5s work?? I want flourite for a substrate so that would help right? Also, could someone please explain to me what Co2 injections are?
Thanks!!
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod... The Freshwater, 78 watt version of that light is what I want. Would 1 be good enough, or would I need 2?
It has 10,000 k. So I would need 2 of those lights?
2 Answers
- Anonymous1 decade ago
The rule of thumb is 2 watts per gallon of water, but planted tanks usually get more. Those aren't really high-light plants so you should be able to get away with 2 fluorescents. I have fluorite and it works well for about 8 months and then you should get some fertilizer tabs for your plants. Make sure you wash the fluorite really well because it is suuuuper dusty. I have had my tank for over a year with water changes and I still haven't gotten all the dust out. I probably should have washed it when I got it :-). CO2 is sort of a "fertilizer" for planted tanks. It helps the plants grow really really well. Pretty much any really nice planted tank has CO2 injection. It usually involves a powerhead or airstone used as a diffuser and either a CO2 tank or a homemade yeast/sugar CO2 reactor. It basically dissolves the CO2 in the water which helps the plants grow better. You can also get CO2 tabs for your tank. Be careful, though, because CO2 alters pH, so make sure to check it if you have CO2 in your tank. There are a ton of good DIY CO2 injection articles online. Good luck!
- StrikerLv 51 decade ago
For those plants listed you will need 2.5 watts per gallon at least but aim for at least 3.0 watts per gallon. Make sure the kelvin rating is 5000k -10000K because that is equivalent to sunlight.
Source(s): own a 10 gallon planted fish tank with 30 watts of pure 5000K 2cfl bulbs from home depot.