how to add better lighting to juwel lid

Hi guys. I have a 240lt juwel tank with 2 X 54 watt T5 lights with reflectors. Rank is 1,2 metres long. alot of guys have said my lighting won't be sufficient to grow a carpet of hair grass. My one light is a day light 9000 kelvin and other a nature light 4500 kelvin. Do I buy two day lights rather so both are 9000 kelvin or how do you add better lights to current juwel lid as would ideally like to keep the same lid. Has anyone had success in growing carpets with this lighting?

 

Hi There,

I have a std 4 ft and I have 2 x 54w T5's as well, thou one is 6500k and the other is 8000k. My plants are loving the lights and yes, I have glosso as a carpet plant with no issues at all. Just remember that with high lighting, you will probably need co2 as well else you will b attracting algae.

I would suggest chucking out the 4500k and replacing with a 6500k.

HTH,
K

 

Is yours a juwel tank as well. I dont think Juwel do the 6500 kelvin light. Would it not be best to buy another day light being 9000 kelvin as well. It says on Juwel site:
[h=2]High-Lite Nature[/h] The special light spectrum of the High-Lite Nature promotes plant photosynthesis, whilst highlighting the green colours in your aquarium.

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[h=2]High-Lite Day[/h] The special light spectrum of the High-Lite Day fluorescent lamp makes the most of the natural colours of your animal and plant world.

So not sure if I would need the high light nature as surely any T5 light would promote photosynthesis. I know alot of the later juwel tanks come with 4 x 54 watt bulbs but alot of guys say that is too bright.

 

I had a look and have a high light colour at home that is 6800 kelvin and says can be used with high light day so maybe I should just then use the day 9000 kelvin and colour 6800 kelvin together. Should I put the 9000 kelvin light at front and colour globe to back as wanting to only grow carpet in front?

 

koganm


Do you just use ferts and seachem excel and no co2 and carpet grows just fine with that?

 

@WMDavies: It depends on what you want to grow this is how kelvin ratings work when you want to compare it to real life light sources:

Candle Flame: 1800
Standard Incandescent Bulb: 2500-3000
Warm White: 3000
Cool White: 4100
Daylight: 6500
Noon Sunlight: 5500
Overcast Sky: 7000
Blue Sky: 10000-20000+

I used 6500 Kelvin in my tank and my plants are doing well.

 

Doesnt it all come down to how many watts per gallon you have cos for high light plants they require 3 to 4 watts per litre or gallon. I only have 108 watts in my 63 gallon tank which gives me 1,71 watts per gallon. Or is that rubbish? Thats why juwel new tanks come out with 4 tubes so you get 4 x 54watt bulbs.