Does 8 hours of 48 watts equal 16 hours of 24 watts?

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Junior Poster
Aug 6, 2009
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The kids and I both like the tanks lighted all day and evening. Do the plants care how the light is portioned?

Secondly, I've got a 20L that needs better lighting. How about Catalina lights make me something. I want to stay flexible (low growth or high tech). I'm leaning towards 2 x 24w T5s with 6700 and 10k ($60). Or should I go 2 x 18w? Let's vote.
 

Gerryd

Plant Guru Team
Lifetime Member
Sep 23, 2007
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Hi,

I think for the most part that steady constant light is better. However there are clouds and rain, so the sun is interrupted at times :)

I turn my lights on at 3:00 pm so they can be on at night when I am home since no need for light when I am at work. The plants and fish do not seem to care when the lighting period is in correlation with the actual time of day. Can you change the schedule to mimic you and the kids?

I do have a 30 minute siesta when the lights go off for 30 minutes about the mid point of the lighting period. This allows a bit more viewing time as I like to stay up late.

I would caution against the higher light even for less duration. Light is what drives plant growth and nutrient demand including c02.

It is harder to keep up with a higher demand, better to start with low light and get the tank in balance and then go from there.

Hope this helps.
 

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Junior Poster
Aug 6, 2009
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That does help!

Currently running 20 watt, 6500k flourescent, walmart special hood on the 20L from 10AM to 2AM. It seems to be weakly enough for some prized lilly pads which is why I'm going to give it a bump. Not so much of a bump that it turns into my green water 10 gallon with same light at 15 watts (I need another timer).

So, I'll bump the 20L up from 20 watt fluorescent to 24 watt T5 and see how it goes. Easy does it cowboy. Slow and steady. No rush here. Just calm down. Smell the roses. I'll get that T5 light with the option of adding a second bulb should I want to turn it into a super growth tank. Oh yeah, you know what I'm talkin about.

How's that sound?