8/17/2019 Lighting a Planted Tank

1/1

Lighting a Planted Tank

Lighting, in my opinion, is one of the most important aspects in keeping a planted tank. Plants us

photosynthesis to make their own food. For photosynthesis to be carried out all the necessary co

have to be there. Light is the most important of these.

What kind to use?

Well there are many different types lighting but the only kind I would recommend for tanks under 75 gallons are flourescent bul

compact or regular. These are the cheapest and have the widest variety of bulbs available. ou can get all the bulbs you need fro!I store such as "ome !epot. Which ones you say though? Well there are many different things to consider# 

Kelvin: This denotes the color of the bulb. The higher the $elvin the more bluish it is and the lower it is the more reddish it is.use bulbs between 5'''$ and 7'''$.

CRI: or color rendering inde(. This denotes how close to natural light the bulb is. The sun has a )*I of +''. ny bulb above -5

Lumens: This is the amount of light the bulb produces. %ost flourescents are in the ''' range. This doesn/t matter too much tas it is in this range it will be fine.

T-12, T-8, or Compats! 0ood &uestion. *eally depends on your space available in your hood. T1+ and T1- bulbs are basicall

only T1-/s are more efficient but with a lower output. T1+ are the best choice in my opinion. )ompacts are easily the best choicthey are more e(pensive in the short run. ou can get a 55 watt, in. compact flourescent bulb while you can only get a 2' wa

regular T1+ bulb.

"o# muh! The most common &uestion asked. 3n average most plants will do 4ust fine under watts per gallon however planmoss and 4ava fern will do fine in +1+.5 wattsgallon. 6or a really succesful tank 12 wattsgallon is needed. "owever with this h)3 will need to be in4ected.