Can someone confirm my wattage

[texasblitzem]

I'm new. I bought a 36" Nova Extreme T5HO light fixture. Specs say it's 2x39watt, with a 10,000K bulb and a 'Freshwater' bulb. I have a 40g breeder tank, 36"longx17"highx18"deep. Am I getting 78 watts total-1.95 watts per gallon? Is that considered high, medium or low lighting? I am getting some dwarf baby tears, anubias(barteri v nana, and frazeri), Red myrio, and bacopa australis. Is my lighting sufficient?

 

[texasblitzem]

Also...is my wattage limited by the bulbs or the fixture? Can I buy higher wattage bulbs?

 

[carey]

You can't add a different wattage, youre stuck with the 2 x 39's.
Most if not all 36 inch fixtures will be the same wattage, 39watts. You could go with a 4 bulb setup though.....

 

[texasblitzem]

Do you recommend a 4 bulb set-up for my tank?

 

[carey]

Depends on what you want to keep. I am only versed in saltwater pretty much but I'm sure someone in FW can answer definitively.

If you do go with another fixture, fish need it;lights; food;Sponge has a decent fixture for not a lot of money. I have one myself, good quality.

 

[Retired_AF]

Depends on what you want to put into the tank. I'm not familiar with some of the plants you listed, but if you use the old watts-per-gallon rating, then you currently have low level lighting. Thats fine for the anubias and other low-light plants, but if you have plants requiring more, then you will either need to add another fixture or upgrade to one larger fixture.
AquariumPlants.com can help you determine your needs.
This site

 

[mfdrookie516]

2x39w on a 40b is really pushing it on needing pressurized co2 and ferts IME. 4x39w is really hard to control until you get th right balance. I grew all kinds of plants in my 40b with a 2x39w. Once I switched to 4x39w, I grew algae with no problem. The plants grew too, and I eventually found a balance that worked well for me. I'd stick with the 2x39w until you're ready for a high tech tank.