Aquarium light

**Goalkeeper** · 23rd May 2014, 19:38

Wonder if those reef lights (actinic blue) suitable for planted tanks? For 150-180 liter tank is 2x24W sufficient? Thanks.

**Urban Aquaria** · 23rd May 2014, 19:53

Reef light spectrums are tuned for corals, which freshwater plants can't utilize as efficiently... but algae can.

You should go for lights with spectrums designed for planted freshwater tanks, usually in the 6,500k-8,000k color temperature range.

The amount of light intensity will depend on the type of plants you are planning to grow and how fast you want to grow them. What plants do you intend to use in the scape?

**Goalkeeper** · 23rd May 2014, 20:08

Thanks bro. Am starting some easy to grow plants first but plan to upgrade once I have co2 system. Am looking at those Aquazonic 2x24W type...are they ok for planted tanks? Was told tube is 12000 k and plan to go check out. Is this too strong?

**Shadow** · 23rd May 2014, 20:23

what is your tank fimension? 150-180 liter is 3ft tank and 24w tube is normally 2ft long, your edge will have light problem

**Urban Aquaria** · 23rd May 2014, 20:24

Originally Posted by Goalkeeper

Thanks bro. Am starting some easy to grow plants first but plan to upgrade once I have co2 system. Am looking at those Aquazonic 2x24W type...are they ok for planted tanks? Was told tube is 12000 k and plan to go check out. Is this too strong?

I haven't used 12,000k lights before, i guess they could be used too... though maybe you could continue checking around and see if there are similar types of lights but with spectrums tuned more for usage in planted tanks?

Is this for the 2x2ft tank mentioned in your other thread? 2 x 24W T5 lights should be suitable for a start (probably have to space them apart to ensure sufficient coverage), if you find that you need more lights then can just add on more tubes or upgrade the lights accordingly.