How much light is enough for 2ft tank?

[Shaun-]

My budget is around 100 for 2ft light. Got a magum light think is around 55watts. I wondered if this is enough for my tank. I want good plant growth and serious bubbling effect. Is there any recommendation on lights? Like watts or places to get or prices? Thanks alot.

[budak]

I can recommend NA Nature for good value light sets. But if you want good plant growth, you need to get your lighting, CO2 (pH & KH), fertilisation, substrate, water etc right. Please read up the Sticky thread and also the Aquatic FAQ for some good advice on this.

[Shaun-]

substrate is the soil or the fert sticks added to the soil?

[hirowen]

If i not wrong substrate can be gravel and gravel with base fertilizer.

[|squee|]

Substrate is a general term for the layer of soil/sand/solid particles that make up the bottom of a planted tank.

Planted tanks generally use a fine sandy like soil on top of a base fertiliser. You can get JBL base fert and ADA Aquasoil or something similiar at shops like NA.

[stormydax]

hi ,
is a magnum 40watt pl tube enough for a 2ft planted tank?

thanks

yours sincerely,
Storm

[|squee|]

Should be enough.

[Heuer]

the general guideline for low light tank is 1.5-2WPG and 3WPG for high light tank.

[chua]

But if i am not mistaken, i read somewhere that smaller tanks actually need higher watts per gallon as compare to larger tank.

In other words, the 2-3 watts per gal may have to be increased for 2ft tank.

[|squee|]

[quote:94fba9ea82="chua"]But if i am not mistaken, i read somewhere that smaller tanks actually need higher watts per gallon as compare to larger tank.
[/quote:94fba9ea82]

why is that?

[KoiSG]

Sorry for budging in, but why is a t4 55w pl tube a lot thinner than my 36w pl tube? Does the 55w T4 produce more light than a normal 36w pl?

[hirowen]

[quote:62e516e4="KoiSG"]Sorry for budging in, but why is a t4 55w pl tube a lot thinner than my 36w pl tube? Does the 55w T4 produce more light than a normal 36w pl? [/quote:62e516e4]
I believe juggler had answered you this question.

Hi Chua,
Yes I also read this before from a website, but i forgotten the URL.

[hirowen]

Hi,

I found the URL.
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Hills/2637/
Under the theme 'Appropriate Light Intensity Level'

[|squee|]

Thanks alot!