Lighting Question.

[OzShrimp]

Okay so my tank is a standard 4ftr and according to one website a 4 feet aquarium,should have 201 Watt lights. I currently have an UP Aqua Pro Z series LED which is only 40W. So does this mean i dont have anywhere near enough light for my plant and stuff?

 

Also if i was to buy a second light taking me up to 80 watts could i expect much of a difference?

I want to grow mosses but dont completely understand the lighting requirements without getting algae blooms and bba etc

Edited July 27, 2014 by OzShrimp

[smicko]

From my understanding of lighting, 1watt per litre is for high tech, high light planted tanks.

I think led works differently, I'm running an 18w led on a 2ft deep marine tank that is just over 200 litres and it's going great.

All the coral and red algae is growing.

On my planted 3ft I run 8x39w tubes of various types and on a 4ft shrimp tank I run one 39w light to grow moss and less demanding plants.

Hope this helps, it is confusing reading some websites recommendations.

Cheers mick

[Heavyd]

LEDs are meant to be more efficient than the T8 lighting that the watts/Litre was originally referring to.

 

I use the Pro Z lights on my tanks, and find that the tank that has two on it looks much better than the tanks that only have one (I'm only growing low light plants and mosses).

[OzShrimp]

LEDs are meant to be more efficient than the T8 lighting that the watts/Litre was originally referring to.

 

I use the Pro Z lights on my tanks, and find that the tank that has two on it looks much better than the tanks that only have one (I'm only growing low light plants and mosses).

Thanks Guys. Doron were you running only one initially on your dual one now and if so have you noticed much of a difference in terms of growth or algae problems?

 

Need to decide if i am buying a second one before i go to Sydney cause i am doing my tax whilst i am down there. I have decided i really really really want to get some riccia but not if my lighting sucks. By any chance do you grow this under your Z series?

[Heavyd]

The tank that has two on it, is nearly two foot deep. In that tank, I have a carpet of fissidens growing on the bottom, so I dont think you will have an issue with Riccia. ALthough, I do have an issue with BBA growing on my ferns, in all of my tanks.

 

In your case, if it's a standard 4 footer, you may only need one, but I think it will look much better with two, and have better light coverage.

[OzShrimp]

Yeah i think the lighting could be improved but dont want the cost of BBA lol so have to forgive the questions. I used to have fissidens but it got BBA on it and i had to turf it lol.

 

Are you dosing ferts or using co2 alongside your extra lighting ?

[nerabbit]

It's alright if you just have moss or other low light plants.

[Heavyd]

I'm not dosing anything into this tank. It's my shrimp tank and they get priority treatment :)

 

There is no BBA on the fissidens. It grows on the ferns that are closer to the light.

[Squiggle]

+1 for the watts/Liter being way different for LEDs, I have one Z series on my system & the Riccia is going nuts, the tanks are 18" deep.

[OzShrimp]

+1 for the watts/Liter being way different for LEDs, I have one Z series on my system & the Riccia is going nuts, the tanks are 18" deep.

 

+1 for the watts/Liter being way different for LEDs, I have one Z series on my system & the Riccia is going nuts, the tanks are 18" deep.

Any chance i can buy some riccia squiggs?

[Squiggle]

Have you checked your PO box lately dude?

[OzShrimp]

No unfortunately busy day at work today and didnt get a chance, will try do it tomorrow provided no one calls us   

 

Some days i think i need a new job lol

[OzShrimp]

Now you have me worried lol!

[Squiggle]

Hahaha, nothing to worry about dude.

[OzShrimp]

Well no mail today :( was all excited lol

[OzShrimp]

Got my second UP Aqua LED Z Series set up today when i got home and wow i love the difference it makes