Lighting for 3 ft tank

[CT]

My friend is currently starting a 3 ft(40 gallon approx) tank and some question to ask as we are quite new to the hobby.

Q1)He have presently purchase 2 set of PL lighting that can hold 1 24 w and 1 36w PL each. is it enough?

Q2)Have read from the forum that there are PL casing that can hold 2 X 36W each but is it more expensive than 1X24w 1X36W? As he bought the lighting at ard 60 dollars but 2X36W costing more than 100 dollars from the shop he ask?

Q3)Is there any brand of PL casing that is good for planted aquarium

[Simon]

what type of plants do you friend intend to keep? that will determine how much light he need to have

low light plants = range between 1 to 2.5watts per gal
high light plants = above 3watts per gal.
(this is just a rough guide, it varies depending on some factors)

the total wattage of your lights, divide by the tank volume in gallon.

[David]

Hi CT

You would save lot of trouble by getting 1x150watts MH lights.....that is because at the length of 3ft, you are more or less stuck with PL tubes as FL tubes that will fit a 3ft light tubes are not common