Is 3wpg enough to "bring out the reds?"

[hashbaz]

I'm planning a high-light 75g with a 4x55W kit from ahsupply.com (2.9wpg). I know 3wpg is enough to grow anything I want. But is it enough to grow them nicely? I want a nice low glosso carpet and I also want to grow some nice red plants.

Is 3wpg enough to "bring out the reds"?

 

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

You will have more then 4WPG.. shouldn't be a problem. Also you are going to need Co2 for the high light demanding plants.

 

[Lonewolfblue]

Go here to get your correct w/g....

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=72491

 

[hashbaz]

Thanks for the tip, LWB. I knew CF gave more light but did not know it was that much more.

 

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

Even T8 bulbs are far brighter/watt then T12's.. Even looking at the package for the same bulb (philips daylight deluxe) the T12 is 2300 lumens @ 40w (57Lumens/watt), T8 is 2800lumens @ 32w(87.5Lumens/Watt).. the difference is amazing. T5/CF are only slightly more intense then a T8..

 

[malkore]

no need to go above 4x55w PC's on a 75gallon, unless you wanted to add a 40w NO actinic bulb in the mix to enhance fish colors and the blue plant spectrum a bit.

Glosso will carpet fine in that lighting if you keep it maintained and plant it properly to begin with.
Many red plants, its as much a factor of low low nitrates as it is high lighting. 3wpg meets the lighting needs...keeping NO3 low enough for sp. like Rotala Macranda...thats the tricky part.

A few sp. like alternatha renekii does fine with high nitrates...rather adequate iron levels (and lighting) are what keeps it red instead of rusty brown with green twinges.