matching tank to light?

[pyrate]

I hope set up a small non CO2 tank for some small swords (Echinodorus quadricostus, E.parviflorus etc.) with some Bacopa austrlis to help fill in until the swords get going. I have a AH Supply 13w kit that I would like to use. With these plants, and this light, would a 5.5g or a 10g be a better choice? Or should I get out the glass cutter and silicone and make a 7.428571...

Thanks for the help
Greg

 

[VaughnH]

AH Supply used to recommend that light for a 10 gallon tank, so it should give you a bit more light than you should have for a non-CO2 tank, but it will probably work ok. As I recall the bulb for that light is much shorter than the 10 gallon tank is long, so to get better light distribution over the substrate, raising the light a couple of inches would be a good idea. That would also reduce the light intensity so it would work better with no CO2.

 

[pyrate]

Wow 13watts will grow swords in a 10 gallon? COOL!
I was worried that a 5.5 was a bit tight for a small school of tetras. They should have no problems in a 10

Thanks
Greg