(Yet another) lighting question

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leafyseadragon

Aquarium Advice Freak
Joined
May 29, 2003
Messages
205
Location
California
I have a 37 gallon marine tank I will convert to a freshwater tank once I upgrade my marine tank.

I would like to keep Amazon swordplants and other plants with similar lighting requirements in there. But the tank is 22" tall. Will a 65W PC generate enough light, or do I need a double light? I would like to save some $$$ if I one light is enough.
 
You'll want two. swords really prefer the stronger light. Look at the AHsupply.com kits, they aren't that expensive. Coralife also sells a 65watt freshwater PC fixture, which hellolights.com has a good price on.
Of course at that light level, you'd want some CO2. DIY is possible on that size of tank, but if the idea of juggling 2-3 DIY juice bottles isn't appealing, then a pressurized system would work too.

Also, since you mention swordplants...they are heavy root feeders. A plant substrate should be used...flourite, eco-complete...and even with those, some root tabs won't be a bad idea.
 
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