Reptile & Amphibian Forums

If a tank was 30 inches tall x 16" wide and deep, what is the lighting needed for proper plant support for:

1. top Canopy-broms, mosses, lichens, ferns, orchids, Tillansias
2.mid canopy-broms, mosses, lichens,orchids
3.bottom story-mosses, carnivorus, Livorworts and other incidentals.

Thank you.

Patty,

I read this in the lighting section on www.poison-frogs.com. "As a rule of thumb 400 W of PL/TL light per square meter ( = 325 W per square Yard ) is a good amount of light for both heat and light." I don't know if this will help you because you may be asking for more specific lighting requirement information for your particular plants .

Gus

i would try compact fluorecents, they are really awesome and they give good light, but they are kinda expensive.
good luck
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Nate
1.1 alanis tincs
0.0.2 Azureus (soon)
0.0.2 imitators very very soon

Forgive me, I didn't make myself clear. I do intend on using compact florescents. I'm wondering would plants such as moss, carnivorous, incidentals like Liverwort on the floor of a tank that is 30 inches tall do fine with these lights and how many such light bulbs should I place there if I had a custom hood made? Thank you in advance.

Hey, Its been a while.

Id check out www.ahsupply.com They have a DIY kit that would be perfect for that tank. Id go with either the single 36Watt with a 10K bulb, or the double. If you have the money, get the double. I installed one on the custom hood of my new 40 gallon hex. It is very bright and was very easy to install. I can show you some pics if you want. Let me know.
-David Taylor

Hi David: good to hear from you! Ok, i'll check out what you said. Thanks for your help again!!!

10000k? Isn't that bit much? I've heard a lot of talk about some people using 10000k lights, but most only use 5000k, to 6500k from what I have read and heard. What the reason for the 10000k lights? Also don't they apear very blue, and "not real". My understanding is that those lights are intended for Aquariums since it takes a lot of light to get through the water.
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
0.0.2 D. azureus
0.0.3 D. imitators

Hey Kyle,
I think 10K is better for taller tanks. My 40 Hex is 28" tall and I want to make sure the sphagnum moss at the bottom has enough light. Also, 10K is only a couple dollars more. And the light looks very natural to me, I see no blue. If the tank was a long, not tall, I would have gone with the 5600. Talk to you later.
-David