Is 18W PL Light sufficient for a highly 1.5ft x 1 x 1 tank?

[edwardchuajh]

Hi,

I have a 1.5ft tank that is highly planted with:

- Windelov ferns
- E. tenellus
- Micranthemum umbrosum (not sure)
- HC lawn
- Hairgrass
- Red rotala
- US Fissidens covered rocks x 2
- Christmas moss

Fauna is Neocaridina, malayan, yamatos and otos and SAEs. Not breeding them on a large scale, just letting them grow/breed naturally.

I am currently using a 18W PL Light, and was wondering if it is sufficient. And am wondering if I should upgrade to a T5.

And if so, what kind of T5 light should I get and approx how much will that cost me?

Thanks!

[boxedfish]

18 watt for too little for a nice HC lawn. You need 36watt to achieve 3.2WPG.

[edwardchuajh]

thanks boxedfish!

my HC lawn was just planted for 4 days, and is growing taller.. shall observe futher and update.

Sorry mods, when I was posting this post the AQ server seemed to have died and was down for like 5mins. And somehow my post was double posted.

Would appreciate if the other post could be removed.

Thanks!

[boxedfish]

HC growing taller means they dont have enough light, if light is enough they will creep and spread instead of growing taller.