lighting question

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ElectricBlueSeanBurch

ElectricBlueSeanBurch

Piranha
MFK Member
Nov 24, 2010
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I just acquired 3x48" T8 fixtures (new in box) they just need bulbs. I am planning on adding them to my 225g. It currently has 2x48" beamswork singlebright LEDs. Assuming I leave the LEDs and add the T8's would I be able to grow any plants? I'm just looking for some simple plants like swords or some jungle val. Something to add a tad bit of color. Tank is 72x27.5x27.5.....Or I could put the lights in my stand and plant my 75g sump. I just want to utilise these lights to add some plants to my setup. Is it worth my time?
 
Hmmm..... Those 48" bulbs are 32 watts each. With your leds you might be around 1/2w per gallon total ....

And 27.5 deep. Kinda pushes the low light, low tech limits a bit. I'm doing the same with the sump on my new build, but I'm shooting for closer to 1w per gallon to start.

I'm new to plants myself and am going off info I ve gathered. No real experience yet. Total noob lol







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Jc1119 said:
Hmmm..... Those 48" bulbs are 32 watts each. With your leds you might be around 1/2w per gallon total ....

And 27.5 deep. Kinda pushes the low light, low tech limits a bit. I'm doing the same with the sump on my new build, but I'm shooting for closer to 1w per gallon to start.


I'm new to plants myself and am going off info I ve gathered. No real experience yet. Total noob lol







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Click to expand...

I'm in the same boat John. Only live plant I've ever had was Anubis that came attached to a piece of driftwood and it died a slow painful death. If I put the T8's over the sump it would be better I guess. Its a standard 75 with only around 55 gallons of water and I could do potted plants.

Edit: I just looked at the box and it is a 48" 40 watt fixture
 
Might be easier to get started in a smaller tank too. I want to plant my 135 but I'm gonna get my feet with with its sump (55) first.




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I will be shocked if you can't grow some low light plants with the LEDs. I have elodea, hornswort and a few other plants growing under a one t12 bulb which I didn't change in years.

Why don't you try using the LEDs and if the plants are struggling add the t8s. I am not saying your will be able to grow every plant but there has to be plants out there which you can grow with the LEDs.
 
Cu455 said:
I will be shocked if you can't grow some low light plants with the LEDs. I have elodea, hornswort and a few other plants growing under a one t12 bulb which I didn't change in years.

Why don't you try using the LEDs and if the plants are struggling add the t8s. I am not saying your will be able to grow every plant but there has to be plants out there which you can grow with the LEDs.
Click to expand...

Well I'm going to add the T8's either way, just trying to figure the best way to go about it. My wife is wanting some green in my big tank but I don't want to spend a lot of money on new Lighting.
 
1st of are the leds even rated for plants as in Kelvin temp? Some leds produce light but not the spectrum that grows plants.....

2nd if the t8's have a good reflector you should be fine with low light plants! Make sure to have 6k-7k temp rating for the bulbs, 6500k being ideal IMO

Watts per gallon doesn't work these days with reflectors/no or bad reflectors, taller/shorter tanks, different types of lighting etc.




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Cheap way to decrease nitrates and keep your fish healthy: http://monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=504763
 
So a 48" fixture on a 72" tank? Were you planning on staggering and covering the entire tank, or just blast one side?

If you put all the lights on one end of the tank, in addition to the LEDs you should be able to grow low and medium light plants. As said above, watts per gallon is just a rough guideline but when you throw in LEDs it's meaningless. But with all 3 on the same side you'd easily grow swords, java fern, anubus, hornwort, water sprite, etc.

If you don't want a lop sided lit tank and you spread them out you should still be able to grow low light plants like water sprite. You can also always grow floating plants as the light is way more intense on the surface. Water lettuce and duckweed would thrive.


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