How many watts of lighting for my tank?

DONT KILL ME! I know this rule is very outdated. Im only looking for penetration and par at bottom of substrate. If I use 75 watt equivalent A19 bulbs would it be high light and would there be enough par? I would be using 12 bulbs on a 125 gallon if that matters. It will be high tech with co2, liquid ferts, and rooted ferts (im too tired to think of the name for that rn). Heres link.

 

Bumping this up for you, hope you get some helpful suggestions today

 

Bumping this up for you, hope you get some helpful suggestions today

Thank you!

 

DONT KILL ME! I know this rule is very outdated. Im only looking for penetration and par at bottom of substrate. If I use 75 watt equivalent A19 bulbs would it be high light and would there be enough par? I would be using 12 bulbs on a 125 gallon if that matters. It will be high tech with co2, liquid ferts, and rooted ferts (im too tired to think of the name for that rn). Heres link.

Link wouldn't let me 'shop' or see anything in the US, but I use LEDs like that for some of my tanks, so I have an idea, but not scientific. I think you'd need a PAR meter to know how much light it gives out, sometimes there are PAR charts online, but not usually standard LED bulbs and a specific number at that.

I had 4 X 10W philips LEDs on my 18" tall (3ft long) tank and it was extremely high light (for me). I didn't have co2, but it was a newly dirted tank and I grew a baby tears (HM) carpet no problem. I got rid of it because it was actually too much.

My personal feeling (with no proof) is that it will be enough light for your application, and if it's too much you can adjust number of diodes.

Just so you can compare, 1W LED bulbs permeate all the way to the bottom of my 120g (26" tall tank). I add more 1W bulbs to cover the length of my tank, so the 1w bulbs have enough PAR. I use 54 x 1W bulbs for my 90g and a .50 watt fixture at the back.

Actually I don't think you need to go that high with wattage, but maybe if you remove some (if it's too much) it'll be ok and still reach the bottom for a carpet.

I use the 10w bulbs for a cube tank.[/QUOTE]

 

Link wouldn't let me 'shop' or see anything in the US, but I use LEDs like that for some of my tanks, so I have an idea, but not scientific. I think you'd need a PAR meter to know how much light it gives out, sometimes there are PAR charts online, but not usually standard LED bulbs and a specific number at that.

I had 4 X 10W philips LEDs on my 18" tall (3ft long) tank and it was extremely high light (for me). I didn't have co2, but it was a newly dirted tank and I grew a baby tears (HM) carpet no problem. I got rid of it because it was actually too much.

My personal feeling (with no proof) is that it will be enough light for your application, and if it's too much you can adjust number of diodes.

Just so you can compare, 1W LED bulbs permeate all the way to the bottom of my 120g (26" tall tank). I add more 1W bulbs to cover the length of my tank, so the 1w bulbs have enough PAR. I use 54 x 1W bulbs for my 90g and a .50 watt fixture at the back.

Actually I don't think you need to go that high with wattage, but maybe if you remove some (if it's too much) it'll be ok and still reach the bottom for a carpet.

I use the 10w bulbs for a cube tank.

[/QUOTE]
Okay thank you for all the info!

 

Okay thank you for all the info!
[/QUOTE]
Yeah thinking more about it, I think 6 bulbs would be enough, but again, my own feelings.

Idk your budget for a light, but my Finnex 24/7 HLC grows most of my 120g. I like it bc you can customize the spectrum and intensity with an integrated timer included. I think it was about 175$ to ship to me in Canada, my tank is 5ft long and the fixture is 4ft, but grows the whole tank.

Just saying this in case it's more efficient/ makes more sense economically to look at fixtures made to grow aquarium plants.

But still, I use the standard LED bulbs with good success.

A pic of my 120g

 

Okay thank you for all the info!

Yeah thinking more about it, I think 6 bulbs would be enough, but again, my own feelings.

Idk your budget for a light, but my Finnex 24/7 HLC grows most of my 120g. I like it bc you can customize the spectrum and intensity with an integrated timer included. I think it was about 175$ to ship to me in Canada, my tank is 5ft long and the fixture is 4ft, but grows the whole tank.

Just saying this in case it's more efficient/ makes more sense economically to look at fixtures made to grow aquarium plants.

But still, I use the standard LED bulbs with good success.
[/QUOTE]
I think im going to try flood lights. Im trying to save as much money as i can. If that doesnt work ill try some bulbs.

 

I think im going to try flood lights. Im trying to save as much money as i can. If that doesnt work ill try some bulbs.

Ok sounds good! Good luck!

 

Ok sounds good! Good luck!

Thank you!