Egmel said:
If you want amano levels then
this site suggests aiming for about 150w. However with that amount of lighting you would need a good ferts and CO2 regime.
Optimum lighting is very dependant on what you want to achieve and what the rest of your system consists of. The figure above is what
Amano would probably use judging by his past tanks however there is a lot of variance in his work as well.
You need to consider -
What plants you want to grow - some plants require a lot of light others can get overloaded and burn out quickly if the light is too bright.
What maintenance you want to perform (higher growth rates mean more frequent pruning)
Whether the rest of you regime (CO2/Ferts) will be able to cope with the lighting you're intending or whether they will need to be upgraded too.
Lighting is all about balance and while we have rules of thumb to help us choose where to aim for what is actually optimum depends on the tank/scape in question.
Egmel
i have a choice of two units - one on ebay the other from Aqua one.
No.1 - AQUAONE OVERTANK LUMINAIRE LIGHT UNIT 93CM 3 X 39 W T5 @ £149.99
Aqua One new T5 range have been designed to fit aquariums from 2 to 4 feet in length. They are a superior range of lights providing maximum light output from a small compact unit. Manufactured using aluminium finish it adds a touch of class with the added benefit of anti corrosion qualities.
Excellent for Marine or Freshwater use
High Intensity light output
Stylish slimline design
Two on / off switches for flexibility
Protective splash guard
INCLUDES standard T5 bulbs
Supplied with suspension kit & adjustable legs
Model Length Metal Halides Cables
T5-93
93cm
3 x 39 watt
1.7 m
Technical Data
or
T5 AQUARIUM OVERHEAD LIGHT 4X39W Blue Actinic Marine Extra Reef Moonlight Bulbs 100cm Length In Silver or Black. @ £125.00
The Overtank T5 is raised clear from the top of the tank on adjustable legs, which attach securely onto the glass side walls. The light can then be tilted back into a near vertical position to allow easy access to the aquarium when needed. The light has 2 switches one to control the outside 2 lamps and one to control the inside 2 lamps.
The built in Reflectors raise the power of the light about 50% extra
Marine T5 model come with 4 X 39W Blue Actinic Extra Reef Moonlight Bulbs. These are standard bulbs that you can get anywhere in the UK we also stock spare bulbs if you wish to purchase any.
1) Open top allows plant growth beyond the water surface
2) Bulbs can be changed to freshwater bulbs you can purchase freshwater bulbs from your local aquatics we do not currently stock these.
3) Multiple lamp option for improved plant / coral growth
4) In-built reflectors, to maximise the light output
5) Adjustable mounting brackets
6) High quality Aluminium cover
Silver or Black available please send us a message to confirm which colour you wish to purchase.
Other size lights available with 2 tubes 60cm, 90cm, 100cm, 120cm, 150cm.
We also have 4 tube versions sizes 90cm, 120cm, 150cm.
Measurements: 100 X 24 X 6 cm
Power: 156W (4X39W)
Tube: T5 Blue Extra Reef Light. (Colour 25000 Kelvin)
I will have to buy tubes that are suitable for my tank requirements. As for Co2 usage or ppm levels I could not tell you as my chart does not state ppm - only colours - yellow = bad, blue is not enough. Mine are @ end of day 23:00 colour is lime green, @ start of day 13:00 its dark green.
I just want to add a bit more light for the plants as I have bought some Hygrophila polysperma "Rosanervig, Alternanthera reineckii lilicina and ludwigia peruviana. My hood has 2 x 30w & 1 x 24w = 85w total, but as i stated is 32 watts worth bothering about 3x 39 = 117watts- or is 61watts overkill - 4 x 39 = 156watts - i could keep the same amount of tubes (4) but reduce the amount of wattage the tube give off by removing a tube - but that could induce a dead area for light or buy 4 x potentiometer from Maplins and add them to the hood which reduce the light levels . Fert dosing as per instruction EI, rest days Thursday & Friday, 50% water change on Saturday. I am also in the process of buy an Eheim 2080 to replace my Tetra Tec 1200 but I have been waiting 4 week for delivery, finally I have recieved a refund so I do not what to do next.
Option 1 -= stick with the 1200 and buy another to increase water circulation as I need 10x the turn over of water.
Option 2 = stick with the 1200 and add a power head, currenty I am running the 1200 + an aquaball 3 internal to improve circulation.
Option 3 = Found another supplier for 2080 - buy it but do I need add a power head if I am going to increase my lighting do not want to be an algea farm.