I have a bog setup established for my colony of golden mantellas and is has been going strong since the day I set it up 6 months ago. In fact, I found my first clutch of eggs the other day (no development yet) I used 4 36" standard fluorescent lights but am going to upgrade to a single 55 watt power compact sometime in the future. These lights are giving the plants adequate light and they were just lying around so I decided to put them to use while I save money for the better fixture. Check out my tank by clicking this link: imageevent.com/audiomaster/goldenmantellavivoldpics/goldenmantellavivarium
I am going to get a power compact but I am not sure how many watts-I am going to keep these plants:
sword plants(echinodorus anubias) acorus(acorus gramineus)
java moss(vesicularia dubyana) crystal wort (riccia flutians)
and duckweed(lemna minor)
It really depends on the lenght of the aquarium you'll be using. The wattages avaliable (at ahsupply) are 36 (~18" long), 55 (~22" long), and 96 (~30" long). You shouldnt need to double-up on bulbs for those plants, but if you have the money, go for it. The java moss and crystalwort will go crazy with growth. Check out www.ahsupply.com/ for the lights.
how many watts do you think will be enough? and can I find this at home depot?-I bought a 32 watt Power Compact retro fit kit for my fish tank and someone told me I chould have just bought it at home depot is this true? how do I go about getting the right one?
No, power compacts are not avaliable at home depot or any home-improvement store for that matter. To get the right light fixture for you, measure the length of the tank and get a fixture that would fit over the top with out sticking off the edges. AHsupply lists the dimentions of all their fixtures.
If you have any other questions, please let me know. This bog setup has been the best possible thing for my goldens because it keeps the tempature so low. Id love to help others setup one of their own. Talk to you later.
-David Taylor
