watts per gall - MyFishTank.Net Freshwater Saltwater Aquarium Fish Forum

burntchef · 08-11-2008, 10:29 PM

setting up my new 50 gall and am wondering how much light to add? i have a ballast for a 96 watt all set so is that enough? it will be a heavily planted tank

Orion · 08-12-2008, 09:04 AM

We really need more information to give you a good answer.

If you want fast growing plants, then you will need Co2 (I would recommend a pressurized system for this tank size for ease of maintenance) and possibly daily dosing of ferts. This also required higher light as well. Do you want to go with Compact Florescent's or T-5's? With CF's just as as guide, I might go for something around 120w, and with T-5's maybe around 80w, both with excellent reflectors.

If you want a lower maintenance tank with slower growing plants, then you might be able to skip the Co2 altogether and go with something like 80w CF or 60w T-5.

Don't let the prospect of Co2 turn you off from planted tanks, or even what's often called "High Tech" tanks. Planted tanks are a carefully balanced system, and can be interesting to learn how each part fits and interacts with the next.

epond83 · 08-12-2008, 12:05 PM

What kind of ballast do you have, what type of lighting is it for? As Orion said there are many factors in a planted tank. But the lighting you have would be able to support plants, just a matter of picking the right ones. I'm guessing the ballast is for regular florescents which means if you used only that you would have to have lower light plants, but you could still have a heavily planted tank.

burntchef · 08-12-2008, 10:51 PM

the ballast is a fulham workhorse5, it was used to power a 96 watt qaud for my nano reef. iam not to worried about rapid plant growth, my old fresh tank had great sucess. a nice thick bed of flourite always helps too. thanks for the tips. i may just go with a new retro fit kit of 2x65 watts.

Orion · 08-13-2008, 08:03 AM

I've got the same ballast, seem to be tough as nails.

2x65w would be good for a 50 gallon, but I think it will probably end up requiring some Co2 injection on your part.

FWIW- on Fulhams website they do say that the workhorse 5 can be used with T-5's, at least in the way I read it. I'm certainly no electrical expert though.