Lighting

[Dave S]

I have a 400 litre (Rio 400 - 150cm x 50cm x 50cm) aquarium with 2 banks of
2 x 36w tubes.

Questions:
Is this enough lighting?
How do I calculate the optimum lighting requirements?
What is the best combination of tubes i.e. I am better off using 3 tubes to
encourage plant growth and one to enhance fish colour, or should it be some
other combination?

I plan to stagger the on/off time for both banks of lights.

Any thoughts, ideas or comments are welcome.

Thanks - Dave

---
David Scott
Hampshire - England

[NetMax]

"Dave S" > wrote in message
...
>I have a 400 litre (Rio 400 - 150cm x 50cm x 50cm) aquarium with 2 banks
>of 2 x 36w tubes.

That's around 104-105g (US) and 144w or 1.5wpg, which would seem like
plenty, but when your tank is 20" deep, there is some reduction noticable
by the time it reaches the substrate. Note that a lighter coloured
substrate will brighten the tank up more than a darker one.

> Questions:
> Is this enough lighting?

Highly subjective and subject to wide varying opinion. There are plants
which are categorized as low, medium or high light plants, and most are
highly adaptable to non-optimal light conditions by growing smaller,
larger, taller, shorter leaves. *enough* lighting really has more to do
with your opinion and expectations.

> How do I calculate the optimum lighting requirements?

hmmm, lighting *rattles through book-marks*, here are a few links :o)

http://faq.thekrib.com/plant-lighting.html
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Hills/2637/spectra.html
http://www.aquabotanic.com/lightcompare.htm
http://www.malawicichlidhomepage.com/aquainfo/lighting1.html
http://www.mnsi.net/~waj/Lighting.html
http://www.trueaquariumplants.com/articles/aboutlight.asp
http://www.thekrib.com/Lights/faq.html
http://www.thekrib.com/Lights/lights-wozniak.html
http://www.calgaryaquariumsociety.com/Articles/Light_Part_1.html
http://www.calgaryaquariumsociety.com/Articles/Light_Part_2.html
http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1999/apr/features/2/default.asp
http://www.ahsupply.com/
http://www.science-projects.com/PhotosynPigments.htm
http://www.life.umd.edu/classroom/bsci124/lec7.html
http://www.lkraven.com/Aquarium/DIYLighting.htm
http://www.giesemann.de/GB_Leuchten.html
http://www.thekrib.com/Lights/reflectors.html

> What is the best combination of tubes i.e. I am better off using 3
> tubes to encourage plant growth and one to enhance fish colour, or
> should it be some other combination?

I'm always experimenting with what looks good first, and then also works
well. The 2nd link above talks about visible light spectrum. I hope I'm
not making this a too-complex topic. It can be as simple or as complex
as you like :o)

> I plan to stagger the on/off time for both banks of lights.

It's nice to have a low light come on first, before lighting up the main
candlepower. Remember that fish have no eyelids ;~) Equally nice to end
the day with the same low light, lets them all wind down into their sleep
routines.
--
www.NetMax.tk

> Any thoughts, ideas or comments are welcome.
>
> Thanks - Dave
>
> ---
> David Scott
> Hampshire - England
>

[Mary Burns]

I am running 2 juwel tanks, Vision 260 litre with their original lighting
with amazing results...I am trimming plants now to give the fish a bit more
room. I think juwel tanks are great...worth the money. Mary
"Dave S" > wrote in message
...
>I have a 400 litre (Rio 400 - 150cm x 50cm x 50cm) aquarium with 2 banks of
>2 x 36w tubes.
>
> Questions:
> Is this enough lighting?
> How do I calculate the optimum lighting requirements?
> What is the best combination of tubes i.e. I am better off using 3 tubes
> to encourage plant growth and one to enhance fish colour, or should it be
> some other combination?
>
> I plan to stagger the on/off time for both banks of lights.
>
> Any thoughts, ideas or comments are welcome.
>
> Thanks - Dave
>
> ---
> David Scott
> Hampshire - England
>
>
>