Takashi Amano plant tank data

**chang** · 20th Jan 2013, 00:54

Was going through Mr Amano hardcover "Nature Aquqrium Book"
Was a bit shock to see the illumination on his planted tank.
As Follow:
1)Tank Volume:35 litre, Illumination ;27w x3(81w),11 hours daily.
2)Tank Volume:56 litre,Illumination ;20w x4(80w),11 hours daily.
3)Tank Volume:160 litre,Illumination ;150w halogen,12 hours daily.
as im just a beginner,im really curious...say the 35 litre tank,is 81w a bit too much

**milk_vanilla** · 20th Jan 2013, 12:18

Looking at amano video, most of their lights is hang through the ceiling. It made the PAR result did not high , instead it will distribute the light well till the corner for each side of their tank.

And amano has plenty human resources that dedicated to take care each tank daily, to scrub the algae. U wont know, and will not written in their books lol

**tongyang** · 20th Jan 2013, 13:38

If you are refencing to the commonly known watts per gallon rule, you should know that is only a guide and doesn't apply well to smaller tanks. Watts is just measurement of energy and not output and quality. Lighting demand of plants used is also another varying factor.

**Urban Aquaria** · 20th Jan 2013, 13:44

That book was published in 1994... it's 19 years ago (almost 2 decades!).

The lighting technology at that time wasn't as advanced as now. The lights used were alot less efficient and wattage required were all much higher than those used nowadays.

**barmby** · 20th Jan 2013, 17:47

But you can't go wrong! Just lume the tank baby!

**Shadow** · 20th Jan 2013, 18:28

It depend on what you have in the tank. 35L is about 45cm tank, 81W is about right if you want to have dense stem plant or red color plant. So what plant is in that tank?

**chang** · 20th Jan 2013, 22:22

Originally Posted by tongyang

If you are refencing to the commonly known watts per gallon rule, you should know that is only a guide and doesn't apply well to smaller tanks. Watts is just measurement of energy and not output and quality. Lighting demand of plants used is also another varying factor.

I don't know..now i know...
From your words you must be a old bird in planted tank...thus can share more on lighting for plants..since is a forum to share and learn for hobbyist
thanks

**tongyang** · 21st Jan 2013, 08:52

I started my planted tank about a year ago, so can't really say am an old bird. I happen to have a small tank too, a 40cm and was tormented by the limited lighting solutions available for my tank size, be it light tubes or fixtures. So I've done quite a lot of reading on the subject. When selecting lights, best to go with live-tested products. Specs on the boxes alone or our naked eye can't really tell how well plants will respond. Start conservative but leave room for expansion till the right amount is achieved. And for tank selection, go with the minimum standard 60cm.