RFI: Ideal lighting set for plants

[Chuck]

I recently moved from FL to OH and had to part with a sweet salt tank. The upshot is that i now have a $225 credit with the local fish store and would like to seriously upgrade my fresh tank's lighting (37 gallon). Could someone provide some insight into the best lighting setup I can get for my tank? Right now it only has java ferns, with 5 medium sized fish (acara, fw shark, bowtia, pleco) and 1 small stinkpot.

Long term goals for the tank are to maintain the current population and dramatically increase the plant life (from java fern to biodiversity hotspot).

Thanks!!
Chuck

[aquak]

If you get bright lights, remember that they are for the plants and the fish won't appreciate them. Be sure to provide places for them to get into the "shade" so they won't get stressed out. Eventually, the plants will probably do that, but in the meantime, it's nice for them to be able to hide. You have a turtle in there?

[phoenixshade]

Chuck,

I'd recommend that you go with two full-length power compacts: One 50/50 and one daylight. This will give your plants good full-spectrum lighting, and will be bright enough to support just about any aquatic plant you want.

As aquak points out, many fish will be uncomfortable with this much light. In particular, you'll want to provide your pleco with a good hiding spot.

The first round of plants you purchase should probably be some large mid-ground specimens with enough leaves to provide some good shade for the fish. The java fern will also appreciate some shading from bright light.

Make sure you add plants that are suited to your water. Many plants do not do well in hard water. If you don't know how hard your water is, Aquarium Pharmaceuticals makes one that is available either as part of their Master Freshwater Kit, or individually. You want to test both GH and KH, although in general if one is low, so is the other, and vice-versa. If you want advice on plant selection, post those values (along with pH) here and I'll be happy to help.

Remember that as you add plants, you will be increasing the demand for CO2. Eventually, the demand will outpace the supply, and you will need to consider adding a CO2 injector. I have found an excellent site (http://www.brainyday.com/jared/aquarium/discus/co2.htm) if you are a do-it-yourselfer. I plan on building one of these to replace my yeast CO2 generators currently on my Dutch aquarium.

Have fun, and my your thumb (and tank!) grow ever greener!

- Wil