Just curious as to what lighting setups people have and if they work well. ideas on how many T5HO 54w bulbs would give good plant growth?? And also whats thr best spectrum....6700k...
Lighting 90G planted/discus
- Thread starter Ace Nick
- Start date
lighting in part will be determined by how fast you want your plants to grow. the more light, the faster the growth, but ONLY if balanced with CO2 and fertilizer addition. without these additions, lots of light will just cause algae
I generally use the following:
< 1 Watts Per Gallon - Can only grow low light plants, and they will grow slowly - CO2 will be of no use
1-2 WPG - can grow more plants, but nothing that needs high light - CO2 may make a bit of difference (especially at the 2wpg end). fertilise moderately. Plant growth will be moderate
2-3wpg - can grow most stuff, but still may struggle with red plants. CO2 addition is pretty much required, either yeast based or pressurised (ideally pressurised). Ferts will be needed. plant growth will be good
> 3wpg - should be able to grow pretty much anything. CO2 injection is pretty much essential, as is regular fertilisation with micro and macro nutrients. plant growth will be rapid, but as will algae growth if things get out of balance.
so, how much light will depend on what you want to grow, whether you want to bother with CO2 addition or not and whether that is to be yeast or pressurised. Also, how much maintenance are you prepared to do? growth rates on high light, high CO2 tanks can be very high, which then requires pruning etc or you end up with a jungle.
I generally use the following:
< 1 Watts Per Gallon - Can only grow low light plants, and they will grow slowly - CO2 will be of no use
1-2 WPG - can grow more plants, but nothing that needs high light - CO2 may make a bit of difference (especially at the 2wpg end). fertilise moderately. Plant growth will be moderate
2-3wpg - can grow most stuff, but still may struggle with red plants. CO2 addition is pretty much required, either yeast based or pressurised (ideally pressurised). Ferts will be needed. plant growth will be good
> 3wpg - should be able to grow pretty much anything. CO2 injection is pretty much essential, as is regular fertilisation with micro and macro nutrients. plant growth will be rapid, but as will algae growth if things get out of balance.
so, how much light will depend on what you want to grow, whether you want to bother with CO2 addition or not and whether that is to be yeast or pressurised. Also, how much maintenance are you prepared to do? growth rates on high light, high CO2 tanks can be very high, which then requires pruning etc or you end up with a jungle.
Thanks for the info...right now i have 2 X54w t5ho bulbs over a 90g tank...so 108 watts which is 1.2 watts per gallon....and dont use regular ferts or co2 and there just in plain gravel and it dosnt work....fish are happier than ever but the plants kind of just live and slowly get smaller and weaker...im guessing this is not enough light for the depth of a 90 gallon tank and theres not enough nutrients....it could also be that the temp is above 80 because theres discus in it.....so im thinking of going with a 4 X54 watt setup for 2.4 watta per gallon....6700k bulbs i think would be best......i also need to decide if i should upgrade the substrate and if i should use co2....the temp will also be an issue with the discus but it might be comming down a bit if it will help without harming the fish
2.4 watts per gal. should grow plants well if you give them the nutrients they need. This includes C02. You'll need to get everything in balance, or it will be a waste of time, as algae will surely take over. My planted Discus tank is run at 84 degrees, and the plants grow fine. Higher temps. shouldn't be a problem with the majority of tropical plants.