Would these be a decent plant light?

**Lady Hobbs** · 05-25-2007, 01:45 PM

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/10927/product.web

I was thinking of getting the dual light (5th one down) but wondering if this would be sufficient lighting for a 29 gallon tank. I want it bright enough of plants but don't want to blind the fish, either.

Thanks for looking.

**Algenco** · 05-25-2007, 01:50 PM

That would be 28 watts on a 29 gal, low light plants only

**Lady Hobbs** · 05-25-2007, 01:56 PM

OK. I was afraid of that. I remain confused with the T-5 lights. I thought altho they might be only a low wattage, that much more light is put out from them. I have seen fixtures for 65 watt so guess I need to stick with those but they seem awful bright for my fish.

**Lady Hobbs** · 05-25-2007, 02:23 PM

Just got this info from the net. Too much info just causes more confusion!

Avoid grow-lights, which will not only make your fish look oddly colored, but will also cause algae blooms.

Watch the plants in the tank to determine whether your lighting is adequate. If the plants are growing, there's enough light; if the algae is growing out of control, there's too much light.

According to everything else I've read, you need to consider the type of plants you have as well. Just adding 3 watts per gallon will not work if you have low light plants or crypts. Sounds as you need to figure out what type of plants you want first and then pick your lights accordingly. I have been looking at lights for a month and no closer to figuring them out as I was a month ago! :(

**Algenco** · 05-25-2007, 02:24 PM

I've had the same thoughts.enough lights to grow plants would require sunglasses for the fish.

I believe your like me, my tanks are for fish, I want plants to benefit the fish

**hungryhound** · 05-25-2007, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by Lady Hobbs

Just got this info from the net. Too much info just causes more confusion!

Avoid grow-lights, which will not only make your fish look oddly colored, but will also cause algae blooms.

Watch the plants in the tank to determine whether your lighting is adequate. If the plants are growing, there's enough light; if the algae is growing out of control, there's too much light.

According to everything else I've read, you need to consider the type of plants you have as well. Just adding 3 watts per gallon will not work if you have low light plants or crypts. Sounds as you need to figure out what type of plants you want first and then pick your lights accordingly. I have been looking at lights for a month and no closer to figuring them out as I was a month ago! :(

I would say that this theory is only correct.

The biggest problem with growing plants is finding the balance in your tank. There are three main factors that go into growing plants: Lighting, Fertilizer, and CO2.(this is what makes it a challange)

You have to find a balance for these otherwise you will have algae blooms.

The plants that you choose will determine how much light you need and the lights that you choose will determine your fertilizer and CO2 requirements.

Higher watts per gallon are not bad, but they require more CO2 and Fertilization.

If you are not going to do any ferts or CO2 you should be able to get away with these lights.

I am actually planning on a 30 gallon (36 x 12 x 16) with this exact light. i would get the 46 watt 36 inch version of it though.

I don't think that it will be enough for high light plants, but that is okay with me. The plants that I have choosen are:

Anubis Berti : nana
Anubis berti: coffee anubis
Java Fern
Crypt (sorry cannot remember the scientific name off the top of my head)
taiwan Moss
marsilea minuta (ground cover, hopefully this will be able to grow)

I may try and throw some of my water sprite and a little anacharis in there to help soak up nutrients while my other plants get established, and then take it out in a couple of months

I am going to do DIY CO2 and dose ferts sparingly, to help plant growth, but it may not be necessary.

**Lady Hobbs** · 05-25-2007, 03:19 PM

I are totally in agreement here. I have tanks for fish....not plants. The plants I do have are for my fish and not for me altho I think they definately add to the look of the tank. And fish live within plants so it's more natural to them. But I don't want to have lights that are so bright that my fish are stressed and unable to escape from blinding light all day.

Many fish are deeper water fish and don't care for lights so bright so it's really a balancing act to find what pleases fish and what plants you can have.

Right now I have two hood lights, both with aqua lights sitting on this one 29 gallon. Wattage between the two are 36 watts but are VERY bright and my fish are hiding from it all day (angels) behind the driftwood. They are not appreciating these lights!

I think if a person goes with the higher wattage they should have large plants, as well, so some shady areas are supplied. And used in a large tank! Mine are small plants so the light is pretty blaring.

I may go ahead and order that light and if more is needed, use one of my hood lights in addition. In all good conscious, I just refuse to spend a small fortune on lights for a 29 gallon tank. Heck, I refuse to spend a fortune on any one tank! LOL

**hungryhound** · 05-25-2007, 03:31 PM

One note on that light Lady Hobbs. They are really small and compact so adding another one would not be a problem if needed. There are basically the length of your tank x 2" x 1". They are very space conscience.

**Lady Hobbs** · 05-25-2007, 03:43 PM

Good! Do you think for my 29 gallon I should just get the one bulb deal then or get the two bulb as I had intended?

**hungryhound** · 05-25-2007, 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by Lady Hobbs

Good! Do you think for my 29 gallon I should just get the one bulb deal then or get the two bulb as I had intended?

It really depends on what you want to do in terms of plants. Decide on that and then decide what light you want to get.

With that being said here is how I view the difference between the one light fixture and the dual fixture.

The 24 inch t5 is only 14 watts. I would bet that your old light gives off that much light making it really a wash to upgrade your light.

By getting the dual light fixture you would be getting 28 watts of light.

So my advice is if you are going to upgrade your lights get the two light fixture

Notice that it has two on off switches which will allow you to only have one bulb on if you like as well. For the added 10 bucks you can hae the option of one or two. To me that makes it worth it.

Plus
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS...lestriplight24

it is a 1.50 cheaper.