Lighting?

[knewby]

How much lighting would i need for a 40g long tank??

[Jeff]

I like one fixture with two florescent strips with 2 different bulbs for the best lighting.

[Carol_Roberts]

Let's see that tank is 48 inches long? Then I'd use a single 48 inch flourescent fixture

[knewby]

I have a planted tank. how many watts???

[Debbie]

If I remember correctly a 40 long isn't very high so 2 watts per gallon or 2 40 watt 48 inch strips would be sufficient.

[Mykiss]

Although bright lighting is good for the plants, wouldn't it be too bright for the fish? I noticed that when I turn on my lights (a 4ft flouro tube on top of a 33 gallon) that the fish get really skittish. However, if I just use the light in the room, they do fine.

For them to get used to the light, would I have to turn on the lights every day at a certain time so that they get used to it? or is it better to just have little lighting i.e. only room lighting and no canopy lighting?
PT

[Debbie]

Shouldn't be too much for the fish because they would have the shelter of the plants. I have tanks with more light than that and it doesn't bother the fish.