lighting for a 10g planted

[tim4072]

i am starting a 10g planted tank and am thiking about having 36-50W over it? from what i gather this seems adequate. anyways, does anyone know of a good pc fixture for a 10g. i was thinking of 2 mini aqualights (36W) or the 20inch satelitte fixture (40W) changing the bulbs in it though would be an additional expense. thanks.

 

[nitrous]

if your gonna have that high of light you would need some sort of co2 and did you alkready buy the tank?

 

[ringfinger]

I would go with the 40W satellite fixture rather than two of the mini aqualights. What kind of plants are you planning on? Co2 plans?

 

[Purrbox]

Please keep in mind that small tanks require more light to reach the various lighting levels. Based on some theory that Wiz~of~Ozz has been working on, 36Watts would probably give you Medium High light while 40Watts would give you closer to High light and both would definately need CO2.

I would also go with the Satelite fixture. A one time startup expense to replace the bulb isn't bad when compared to the ongoing cost of replacing bulbs in both fixtures. It's $16.50 for one 40W bulb versus $24.00 for four 9W bulbs. Two years and your even on costs and after that you'll be ahead on costs. In addition you get to enjoy having a moonlight on the tank. Plus I just like Higher Light tanks.

 

[gfink]

I have 30W of NO bulbs over my 10 gal, and it behaves like a medium-high light. Some higher light plants never really flourished (like dwarf hairgrass, although it is slowly spreading)

Don't forget that 30W of CF is brighter than what I have. SO 40W CF might be INTENSE.

 

[czcz]

Either light is adequate to grow plants, but you'll want a little more for "high light." To compare to Ozz's thresholds and established tanks, the 36w CF over a standard 10g is 14.3 lum/sqin and 40w CF is 15.9 lumens/sq in., both near the higher end of "moderate light." Great level to learn nutrients and CO2 with while growing cool plants.

Suggest the 40w Current fixture. You could grow a lot of plants with that light. Since its pretty narrow, you could later squeeze in another fixture for R. wallichiis and such if so inclined.