Need lighting advice.

JesseK · 08-02-2011, 02:51 PM

I'm purchasing a 150 gallon tank and I plan on eventually heavily planting it. The tank is coming with some basic hood lights but they don't kick out enough light, will I be able to buy fluorescent lights for the hood set up that will kick out 2 watts per gallon? Or should I look into getting a whole new lighting system?

susankat · 08-02-2011, 03:03 PM

It would depend on what kind of plants you are wanting to grow. Medium high to high light plants you will need to buy better lights. If your just wanting low to medium lights, flouresents would do ok.

JesseK · 08-02-2011, 08:20 PM

Will plants that only require a little light do fine with lights that will grow plants that need high power? And will I simply be able to get better lights and put them right in the hood I have?

susankat · 08-02-2011, 09:16 PM

No you would have to change out ballasts and such. If you can do the wiring and all it would work, other wise you will have to buy a whole new fixture.

Yes the lower light plants will grow in high light but its best to plant taller high light plants around to where they would shade the lower light ones some.

High lights you will also need to look into co2 injection and for that size of tank pressurized would be best, then add good ferts along the way.

Sweetgreenleaf1369 · 08-03-2011, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by susankat

No you would have to change out ballasts and such. If you can do the wiring and all it would work, other wise you will have to buy a whole new fixture.

Yes the lower light plants will grow in high light but its best to plant taller high light plants around to where they would shade the lower light ones some.

High lights you will also need to look into co2 injection and for that size of tank pressurized would be best, then add good ferts along the way.

jrman83 · 08-03-2011, 08:56 PM

You could look at Compact Fluorescent Lighting Kits and see if they have something to modify your existing hood.

08-02-2011, 02:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
JesseK Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 8 Name: Jesse Kalitta Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 2 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Need lighting advice. I'm purchasing a 150 gallon tank and I plan on eventually heavily planting it. The tank is coming with some basic hood lights but they don't kick out enough light, will I be able to buy fluorescent lights for the hood set up that will kick out 2 watts per gallon? Or should I look into getting a whole new lighting system?

08-02-2011, 03:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
susankat Pleco n bn breeder n BOSS susankat's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,412 Name: Susan Location: Tulsa, Ok Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 2,081 Times Said "Thanks" 1,610 Times Was Thanked 1,807 Times in 1,548 Posts	Re: Need lighting advice. It would depend on what kind of plants you are wanting to grow. Medium high to high light plants you will need to buy better lights. If your just wanting low to medium lights, flouresents would do ok. __________________ SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!! 220 Tank build http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

08-02-2011, 08:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
JesseK Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 8 Name: Jesse Kalitta Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 2 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Need lighting advice. Will plants that only require a little light do fine with lights that will grow plants that need high power? And will I simply be able to get better lights and put them right in the hood I have?

08-02-2011, 09:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
susankat Pleco n bn breeder n BOSS susankat's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,412 Name: Susan Location: Tulsa, Ok Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 2,081 Times Said "Thanks" 1,610 Times Was Thanked 1,807 Times in 1,548 Posts	Re: Need lighting advice. No you would have to change out ballasts and such. If you can do the wiring and all it would work, other wise you will have to buy a whole new fixture. Yes the lower light plants will grow in high light but its best to plant taller high light plants around to where they would shade the lower light ones some. High lights you will also need to look into co2 injection and for that size of tank pressurized would be best, then add good ferts along the way. __________________ SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!! 220 Tank build http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

08-03-2011, 08:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
jrman83 ....has no life.... jrman83's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,463 Name: Ben Location: White Plains, MD My location Feedback: 16 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 3,382 Times Said "Thanks" 478 Times Was Thanked 2,431 Times in 2,286 Posts	Re: Need lighting advice. You could look at Compact Fluorescent Lighting Kits and see if they have something to modify your existing hood.

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