jprime84

I am looking for lighting recommendations for the new tank. In the 20g I had about 1.4 watts/gallon, but no longer. Tank measures 36" by 12" by 20" deep.

I have a few types of swords, some crypts, an anubias, a hygrophila, a rotala (maybe?), some water sprite, and hopefully some dwarf hairgrass. I do not want to use CO2, and I plan on occasionally adding some liquid fetilizer.

Tank has a single flourescent bulb light, 17watts. I got a glass top for the tank though, so I can set it up with whatever - it doesnt have to include the existing light. I am going to ask this same question at the LFS later on, it would be good to compare answers.

Thanks in advance!

eiginh

For regular low light, you can check out home depot. They have garden lights as well as regular cabinet lights that you can put on top of the glass. They run cheaper than aquarium lights as well.

jprime84

So does that mean the plants I listed fall under the "low light" category?

Nutter

No, only some of the plants you have listed are low light varieties. With that selection of plants I would aim for at least 2wpg, preferably heading on towards 3wpg. Given that it is a fairly narrow tank I would reccomend that you spend the extra & get T5HO fittings or compact flourecents. They will cost a bit more than standard T8 fittings but will give you much more light while taking up less room over the top of the tank. It depends on how well your glass lids seal the top of the tank as to wether or not you buy proper aquarium fixtures or standard household style fittings. If there is any chance that the lights will be effected by moisture you should either buy proper aquarium fittings, or have a hood/light support that you can mount the lights on a few inches above the glass lids. Or you can get fittings that have plastic covers over them. This slightly reduces the amount of light that can penetrate through the water but that is better than zapping yourself or your fish.

jprime84

Thats what I ended up going with. I got the Hagen T5HO 36" double fixture.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...=0035609000000

With two "Life-Glo" 36" 39W T5HO bulbs
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=19762

I have no hood or lid on the tank right now, and the fixture is attahed to the tank with the included hardware. I have a glass lid for the tank, but you cant attach the hardware with the lid in place. I am wondering if the fish will not be jumpers, or if I need to find a way to cover the tank. At any rate, I am slightly over 2 W/g, and it is very well lit. Check out the photo in my sig, or in the photos section.

Nutter

Looks good. Clearly better lit than it was before. Keep the glass lids on there as even fish that don't jump will find thier way out of there. Often they are chased out from what I have witnessed. Good idea to keep the lids on to help prevent moisture getting up to the light fixture anyway, even with proper aquarium fixtures. You cn get plastic supports that will fit over the edges of the tank & still give you full access. I have a couple that I will post pics of here for you later. I think they are Heto brand.
Why did you rearrange? I liked it better the other way. But then that is just my taste. The only thing that matters is that you like it, not what anyone else thinks.

jprime84

I think you were thinking of the previous tank. Although, I have rearranged again recently so I need to update the pic. The plastic rock thing is hollow, and I actually had fish getting trapped inside it so I wanted to take it out. Will update the pic later.

As far as the plants, I am certainly noticing growth under the new light.

Nutter

Thought it was the same tank rearranged as there is only one in your tank profile & it looks very similar, especially with the fake rock.
You might be able to take the fake rock out, fill it with aquarium sand for weight then seal it up with silicone. If theres no holes big enough to get sand into then just drill one in a discreet place & fill the sand in there with a small funnel. I've done this on heaps of decorations & it has worked a treat every time.

I'm glad the lights are working out well for you.