question about lighting for a tall planted tank

[DiscusLover123]

hey guys,
i have a 46 gal bow front tank that i am going to make into a planted tank w/ discus. but my tank is pretty tall, and alot of my plants are starting to die. :banghead:
i think they arent getting enough light (i fertilize too) and i have lateralite in my gravel. the tank is 18 1/2 inches tall, 37 inches long and 17 inches deep (at the deepest spot, being a bow front).

anyone have any ideas ? ???
all help is really helpful

thanks guys for your time

[ronrca]

Welcome to simplydiscus!




How much light and what kind of lighting do you have?

[dm]

You might want to keep low light plants if you don't think you have enough light for your tall tank. What type of plants do you have now?

[heavyp83]

18 inches isn't really that deep. i hade a 46 gallon-bow planted tank and i had a 2x55 watt compact fixture on it, the plants did fine with that and diy co2.

[ChloroPhil]

For any aquarium 18" or higher you need PC fluorescent to grow anything but the lowest of low light plants......algae. Normal Output fluorescent bulbs aren't strong enough to get sufficient amounts of light to the substrate which will cause the lower level of your plants to die off. Heavy's solution of 2x55w PC lights is perfect.

[Wahter]

I use a mix of normal/ standard fluorescents and compact fluorescents over my 50 gallon tank that is 18" tall and the pymy chains do fine (unless they get too shaded by the other taller plants).

HTH,

Walter