Lighting suggestions...

[Stevecmanning]

Hi guys! I'm a super novice when it comes to aquatic plant care and I was wondering if someone could give me a suggestion on lighting for my planted shrimp tank. I got a Satellite 30'' single compact flouresent with a 55 watt 6500K daylight bulb in it right now. I also dose with kent fertz and with CO2. Here's a list of my plants...

Glossostigma elatinoides X1
Hemianthus callitrichoides X4
Heteranthera Stargrass X1
Micranthemum umbrosum X1
Ceratopteris thalictroides X2
A carpet of Blepharostoma trichophyllum (Mini Rose Moss) X3
Süßwassertang (In patchs over the driftwood)
Riccia sp. 'Dwarf' (Floating)

Should I upgrade? and if so, to what? I heard that the HC and glossostigma are pretty demanding when it comes to light. Any help would be apprieciated. Thanks Guys.

Steve

[seetharam]

Hey Steve .... Whats the size of your tank (LxBxH) ?

Glosso needs high light, under low light conditions it tends to grow tall instead of sticking to the ground. Cuba is not demanding on light .... Its does well in low light as well ... only the growth rate is slower

[Stevecmanning]

Thanks for the replay. =D

Opps... I was feeling like I forgot something. My tank is a 20 Gallon Long. Would you know if my 55 watts is adequate for the Glosso? or should I go with a 65 watt bulb?

Steve

[seetharam]

Hey Steve

A 55 Watts with a good reflector should suffice for your tank, what is the height of the tank? You see the amount of light needed also depends on that.

The larger the height of the tank the more light is needed for effective penetration till the bottom. If your tank height is anywhere between 15-18 Inches the 55 watts that you have will suffice.

However you might see the glosso groving upward is areas of the tank which has some dark areas.

[Stevecmanning]

Ah, Thanks! I'll stick with what I got then for now. =D