CindyJ

I'm trying to figure out how many watts I have but the tank and everything were bought from a friend.

The hood is old and the only thing that I can find is that it's an O'Dell. I can't find a thing on the flourescent tube. It doesn't look very bright. So should I measure the tube and just go and buy a new one to be sure of the WPG? To tell you the truth though i'm afraid to take the old bulb out for fear it'll quit working all together. The hood does look pretty old.

My 10 gal has 2 35watt bulbs in it but one is burn't out which if they were both going that would be way to many watts per gallon right?

So I need go to the pet store and get two lower wattage bulbs for that one...Correct?

What is the ideal wpg for low light plants so that I get the lighting?

I will be putting low light plants in soon!! So excited to get started on that!!

I'm so new at this!!!

Thank you!!

fishrule101

You can't go with WPG as your guide. PC are usaually good enough for low light needing plants. Also your tank is not over 24" so you won't need strong lighting. Some people say theres no such thing as over lighting. I think this is true but it could bring you algae if you don't have a CUC to control the algae. The 2-35 bulbs might be enough. I'm not very sure. I have T-5s, so if there good enough on my 28 which is about 23" to keep high light needing corals I think you won't need much for low light plants.

pinkfloydpuffer

For low light plants 1-2WPG is good. Any higher and you'll need to start doing CO2 injections.

CindyJ

See in the 10 gal that would be 70 wats total. And if i'm doing this correct 70 divided by the 10 gal=7mpg wich would be way over the 1-2 wpg.

Remember i'm new so i'm wondering what PC stands for!!

Thanks

lol

fishrule101

Power Compacts. Sorry

pinkfloydpuffer

I'm guessing your 10 gal has an incandescent hood? Mine does as well, and I replaced the inc. bulbs with 2 compact flourescents, 10W each. So I have 20W in my 10 gal, and my hornwort is growing like crazy!

CindyJ

So do you think I should mess changing with the 20 gal flourscent tube that's in the O'dell hood? or just leave that be?

I totally understand the 10 gal now but I just don't know the wattage of the the other at all.

Thanks again!!

pinkfloydpuffer

If you're planning on keeping live plants in there, then probably. If not, I don't see why bother.

CindyJ

Yes I do plan on keeping live plants in the 20 gal as well as the 10 gal. In fact some are on their way as we speak. Thanks to Carol!!

So I will get someting that's at least a 40 watt for the 20 gal then.

Thanks for the help everybody!!

pinkfloydpuffer

Certainly
If it's low light plants you're getting, then don't go over the 40W, unless you want to get a CO2 injector.

CindyJ

Definately low light plants!!!

The whole CO2 thing seems a little much for me right now while i'm still learning the basics!!

LOL

pinkfloydpuffer

Yeah, I just didn't want to spend the $ on the equipment! But I'm completely satisfied with my lowlight plants

CindyJ

Well apparently the highest and only wattage that I can get out of an 18" flourescent tube is 15 watts so that would come to about 1.3 wpg. So that's gotta be what I have already. So I guess that saves me money on buying a new one!

LOL

pinkfloydpuffer

that's always the best when you don't have to buy MORE stuff.

CindyJ

Just fine with me and means I can spend more money on fish or plants!!

pinkfloydpuffer

CindyJ