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View Full Version : Lighting for a planted Discus



BobB
06-01-2006, 11:25 PM
What lighting would you recommend for a planted discus tank. I have checked out a number of lighting manufacturers on the web like coralife. current usa do you have any particular favorites. I am thinking of a 3 to 4 potted plants possibly more in a 90G tank. No co2.

lhforbes12
06-02-2006, 12:35 AM
Bob,
Since you aren't going to use CO2 you don't want very high light. I would keep it around 2 wpg (watts per gallon). Make sure the bulb temps are somewhere in the range of 5000K-10000K, and you'll be set. You didn't mention what plants you were planning to use but the addition of plant tabs will be beneficial to most plants. Most folks use CF (Compact Fluorescents) over their discus tanks. A good source for fixtures is http://www.aquatraders.com

hth,
Larry

BobB
06-02-2006, 09:40 AM
I was thinking something like this: borrowed from Barbs post.
http://forum.simplydiscus.com//showthread.php?t=50883

tpl*co
06-02-2006, 11:42 AM
Bob,
Since you aren't going to use CO2 you don't want very high light. I would keep it around 2 wpg (watts per gallon). Make sure the bulb temps are somewhere in the range of 5000K-10000K, and you'll be set. You didn't mention what plants you were planning to use but the addition of plant tabs will be beneficial to most plants. Most folks use CF (Compact Fluorescents) over their discus tanks. A good source for fixtures is http://www.aquatraders.com

hth,
Larry

I think the wattage depends on the depth of the tank? I have 2 watts per gallon on one of my tanks and it isn't enough (it's 24 inches deep). I have another tank that is getting close to 4 watts per gallon (again over 20 inches deep) and it has no trouble growing things, even though it is low tech, no CO2. Hopefully with my new tank I'll have enough light for a 27" deep tank with 2.95 watts per gallon (will be putting the plants from the close to 4 watts per gallon in there).

Tina