carnivorous_freak Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 Hi all I just got finished with the lighting of my new terrarium and Im not sure if the light is sufficient enuf. I have 2 25 watt equivelent to 100 watt floroucent compact bulbs over the top of the tank with no reflecting material on the sides or back. Is this enuf? 50watt total? I have a raff, bical, ventrat,ventricosa,coccinea,and a ceph. Is the lighting enuf for these? By the way the lights are about 5-6 inches away from the plants. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dortyuz Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 Hi, what is the tank size? Mine is 120x40x50 (in centimeters) and I have 6 of those bulbs on top of it. Lowland nepenthes thrive under those :) Cheers, Burak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danne Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 As dortyuz says it depends on how big ur tank is. I have as you 2 * 25w and 2 Philips TLD 840 and my plant thrive there to :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnivorous_freak Posted March 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 Mine is just a regular 10 gallon aquarium. I beleev about 14"x8"x8". (LxWxH) I dont know the exact measurements though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EntwinedScylla Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 Ten gallon tanks are 24"x12" OR 60cmx30cm (LxW). -Five- gallon tanks are 15"x8" (sometimes 15"x9") OR 37cmx22cm/24cm A "regular" tank hood, fitted with two "curly" compact flourescents in the 19-23w range will provide you with about 2200 lumens, give or take. Cool white lights produce happier plants, and produce a "cleaner" light. 23w lights barely fit in a standard hood, while 19w lights do scrape the reflector a bit, but fit in nicely once they're actually in the socket. Since aquarium hoods are made to cope with a little bit of moisture, they are less prone to fizzling out in a spray of sparks, but you still have to watch them carefully. A sheet of plexiglass, cut to provide a vent, acts as a nice light guard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnivorous_freak Posted March 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2006 Wat im doing rite now is just a plexiglass over the whole tank with a gap in the front for ventilation and then 2 bulbs over it. Is this good? Im not using a hood or anything like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EntwinedScylla Posted March 6, 2006 Report Share Posted March 6, 2006 You don't have to use a hood, no. Hoods just look a bit cleaner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2LAP Posted March 10, 2006 Report Share Posted March 10, 2006 Is there an equation that can be used to calculate the amount of light (or watts) required for a given area to grow plants? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dortyuz Posted March 10, 2006 Report Share Posted March 10, 2006 the equation is simple, but the solution has a major coefficient whic is your wallet size :mrgreen: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EntwinedScylla Posted March 10, 2006 Report Share Posted March 10, 2006 In marine coral keeping (which requires fairly intense light) 2x20W over a five gallon is "Medium" 4x20W would be "High" A 70w Metal Halide would be "Perfect" ;) Though a 70w Metal Halide will probably burn most plants unless it's kept high above them. I suggest using 2-3 20w compact flourescents. It should be more than enough to keep everything deep red and chipper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.