How much light is low light?

**vinz** · 29th May 2002, 09:52

Hi guys,

Intending to setup a tank with lowlight plants. Plant choices would be crypts, echinodoruses, anubias, javaferns. Tank height is 2 feet. How much light will be sufficient, and how much will be ideal (if there is a difference) in terms of watts per gallon?

Any more suggestions for lowlight plants?

Thanks.

**Simon** · 29th May 2002, 10:26

wat lights? MH/PL/FL?

I'm using 8x30w FL and it doing fine with the plants... u might wanna consider 2x150w MH... anubias and other slow growers shld be shaded to avoid getting algae on them

u shld get ard 1+ to 2watts per gal...

**vinz** · 29th May 2002, 10:33

PL or FL. The lights I got with the tank are FL with a total of 4x4' and 4x1.5'. Assuming 48W and 18W respectively, that will make 264W for about 170USG =&gt; approx 1.5 W/USG.

Wondering if I should convert to PL.

**Simon** · 29th May 2002, 10:39

my FL cannot support E. tenellus... I supposed the lights cant reach to that depth

**benetay** · 29th May 2002, 15:51

vinz go for MH.No regret

**sherchoo** · 29th May 2002, 16:14

One thing I don't like abt MH is the glare. Quite disturbing.

Juz my opinion

**Simon** · 29th May 2002, 18:40

----------------
On 5/29/2002 3:51:08 PM

vinz go for MH.No regret
----------------

sure or not? u keep complaining to me abt the glare and have to put the MH so close to the water line to block the glare

**sherchoo** · 29th May 2002, 18:53

Yah.... that's why i say glare would be a problem. For my tank now, once I top up water, the glare will dissapear.

**benetay** · 29th May 2002, 19:02

Isn't that good..

**sherchoo** · 30th May 2002, 13:11

Yah.. i mean that I have to top up the water to the brim. If I neglect to top up water, the glare will remind me to do it.....

If I were to use MH, the glare will forever be there bothering me.

**Simon** · 30th May 2002, 14:56

one good way to keep the glare at bay is to do a trimming for the top

**mok** · 30th May 2002, 15:05

----------------
On 5/30/2002 2:56:38 PM

one good way to keep the glare at bay is to do a trimming for the top
----------------

that's what i requested for when i customed my 3-footer.
no glare as long as water level is higher than the trimming.
but for open tank with pendant lights, no trimming with
water almost to the brim still looks the best.

**sherchoo** · 30th May 2002, 17:53

yah lor.... I made the DIY trimming thing but if I don't top up water in 2 days the glare will be seen and complains will be heard.

**setiardi** · 30th May 2002, 21:33

I believe 2 sets of 2x36w FL is enough, even keeping HG. Got idea from Sam Yick Display tank in Marine Parade.They use 2 sets from JBJ. I think the ballast is important. Have another planted tank upgraded with e-ballast and plants thrive like wild fire(algae too!!). I think 8x36w overkill. Plants will grow too fast.Increase maintainance (trimmings) and electric bill. In the end wat plant u want to keep will determine the lighting type/wattage.Currently using 2x36w PL and 2x36w FL , both JBJ. My HG grows very short (1.5cm high) thru out the tank. But the ones in teo's tank grow long coz his light is only 2x36w FL . Got my hg from him and he thought I use a lawnmower to trim to that height! So u see it's the lights+ maybe the ballast use in the JBJ lighting. This is from my experience only.

**setiardi** · 30th May 2002, 22:44

ooopss, reply to wrong topic. oso asking abt light. sorry. he...he....

**AirStern** · 31st May 2002, 00:02

might as well take this opportunity to ask abt light too ....

currently i just accquired a 2x1.5x2 ft tank ... just wondering how much light is needed for a decent plant growth, as for selection of plants, i have not made any decisions yet ... most prob e.grandiflorus, spatterdock and apongeton ulvaceus

**hwchoy** · 31st May 2002, 00:48

----------------
On 5/31/2002 12:02:12 AM

might as well take this opportunity to ask abt light too ....

currently i just accquired a 2x1.5x2 ft tank ... just wondering how much light is needed for a decent plant growth, as for selection of plants, i have not made any decisions yet ... most prob e.grandiflorus, spatterdock and apongeton ulvaceus
----------------

Aponogeton ulvaceus not good, very soon will overwhelm your whole tank. Sounds like you need 120-180W.

**AirStern** · 31st May 2002, 22:26

ermmm ... is there really a need for such a high watts?
i mean it is like my standard 3ft have 144 watts .... then my this almost 2ft cube is less than the volume of my 3ft tank ..... but require 180 watts??