lighting help

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
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forsaken

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 24, 2007
492
2
0
Ohio
what kind of Planting substrate are you using?
How long are your lights on for each day, are they on a timer?
How many bulbs do you have on the 29 gallon?
 
im new to this but dont plants need a higher kelvin rating? like 6500K at least? this bulb is only light 4000K so maybe they are not getting the full spectrum of light they need and as for the 75w, you could put a 100w bulb over the tank and if its not the full spectrum your plants wont thrive, watts per gallon rule isnt really helpful you have to take the actaul light the bulb is giving off into account GOOD LUCK
 
i only have one bulb. i dont want to spend like $30- on lights. im pretty broke right now.
 
yeah im having the same problem as i bought one of those tank hoods from petco and am now looking for a good bulb to put in it, hopefully someone with more experience can chime in but i think you just need to get a bulb that has a higher lumen output (like 6500-8500 i think) and it should help though i doubt you could keep high light plants without at least a T5HO system or higher wattage bulb with higher lumens than that one
 
im guessing you have the 20watt one since since a 29 gallon is 30 inches long.

the answer is no. with out confusing you about lumens or par, the old school rule is atleast 2 watts per gallon for basic plants.

you have less then 1 wpg 20watts/ 29 gallon= .69 wpg
 
well than what the heck. how am i supposed to get a 50 watt bulb i have NEVER seen a 24" 50 watt bulb. NEVER EVER seen one in my life.
 
forsaken;3544102; said:
well than what the heck. how am i supposed to get a 50 watt bulb i have NEVER seen a 24" 50 watt bulb. NEVER EVER seen one in my life.
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you want 58 watts actually lol
if you count multiple bulbs or a different fixtures you do have options. there are a many different fixtures that would meet your needs examples power compact.

as i believe price is important to either you or sarah

i suggest buying a cheapo t5 system off ebay, i got the one i use for my 29 gallon from topdogsellers, just a 36 inch t5 HO light its 78 watts. i just switched out the blue light for another 10k, as mine was a reef version i have seen cichlid/plant versions. (warning: its important to realize cheap chinese knock offs wont be as nice as the 200 dollar american or euro conterparts, but mine gets the job done for my purposes.)

or you could try supplementing with a compact flourscent bulb, you know the kind for you house that go in regular sockets. just try to find one around the appropiate kelvin value. im not a fan of this second option, i think it looks like crap and depending on the bulb it might not put out a good spectrum for plant growth(ie too narrow or completely wrong).


also they actually make thousand watt halides bulbs, useless for your purposes but just dont be so quick to deny somethings existence;)
 
forsaken;3535953; said:
I'm sick of lighting my planted tank and them dying. they have liquid fertilizer and root tabs. i guess its the light. i have http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...ubref=AA&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=0021170000000

is this ok to use for my 29 gallon? If not can I just get a reptile lamp and put a 75 watt bulb in there? thx
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I use those energy saver bulbs in reptile domes but you can buy nicer looking fixtures for them. I love them.

Its a 30 gallon long with 2-14 watt bulbs which in theory are rated for 60 watts equivalent each .

The plants grow like crazy . I use the red label N:VISION brand that home depot carries . The other types werent nearly as good the plant type included.

LIGHT.JPG
 
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