can't even get anachris to grow!!!

[hbeth82]

Ok, thanks. May be lazy and cheap for the time being and get the 6500k bulbs where ever I find them. Do you know if the effectiveness of the bulbs diminishes over time or do they just die like regular bulbs? Asking because I know the UVB output on the fluorescent bulbs I use for my turtle is only good for 6-8months, but then those are meant only to provide UVB.

 

[Purrbox]

On this one, 15W CF x 1.75 = 26.25, but a 10g is significantly shallower, so you could maybe multiply this by 1.5 or even 2.0, to 40 or 50 W total, so you're probably somewhere between 3 and 4.5 WPG in the 10.

With smaller aquariums (under 20 gallons) you reach a point where the WPG "rule" breaks down. Smaller aquariums actually need more WPG to get the same light levels as larger aquariums. With that lighting I would say that they probably have medium low to medium light based on the comments of others with the same setup.

 

[joy13]

Another thing you might think about is the temperature of the water when it comes to Anacharis I have personally found it to grow faster in cooler temperatures PlantGeek.net - Elodea nuttallii

 

[DragonFish71]

See, way too much for my brain. You can ask me how to bill prescriptions, but don't ask me to figure out WPG lights or how many watts you need for a heater. Just give me a chart. *lol*

My fiance, the math whiz and all around brains figured out the lighting from reading this thread. Now he knows exactly what we need for our other tanks. Gotta love him