Hey,
After reading a reply in a thread that I am subscribed to it prompted a question (that was unrelated to the thread).
I have just built a Walstad style tank and am worrying a little about the light I have in the tank.
I currently have 2x45w T5 HiLite and a RIO 180 tank. Thus I have around 2.35watts per gallon. Now, this light is NOT reflected.
Lets assume I am happy with 2.35 watts per gallon (though we'll come to that in a minute). Does the watts per gallon measurement normally assume that the light is being reflected to some degree? Either way, if I'm happy with 2.35 w/g and decide to use reflectors, what does that do to my tank? Is it considered to be upping the w/g or does it have another effect on it?
Walstad states that she uses between 2 and 3 w/g on her tanks, therefore I would assume that I am within this 'safe' zone. However I was planning on blocking out one of the bulbs with some standard plumbing pipes to give myself a single bulb of 45w.
Do you think this is neccessary now and also, what effects, if any, will this have on my my tank as the two bulbs are off centre, thus by turning one off, I now have an off centre lighting effect.
Regards
After reading a reply in a thread that I am subscribed to it prompted a question (that was unrelated to the thread).
I have just built a Walstad style tank and am worrying a little about the light I have in the tank.
I currently have 2x45w T5 HiLite and a RIO 180 tank. Thus I have around 2.35watts per gallon. Now, this light is NOT reflected.
Lets assume I am happy with 2.35 watts per gallon (though we'll come to that in a minute). Does the watts per gallon measurement normally assume that the light is being reflected to some degree? Either way, if I'm happy with 2.35 w/g and decide to use reflectors, what does that do to my tank? Is it considered to be upping the w/g or does it have another effect on it?
Walstad states that she uses between 2 and 3 w/g on her tanks, therefore I would assume that I am within this 'safe' zone. However I was planning on blocking out one of the bulbs with some standard plumbing pipes to give myself a single bulb of 45w.
Do you think this is neccessary now and also, what effects, if any, will this have on my my tank as the two bulbs are off centre, thus by turning one off, I now have an off centre lighting effect.
Regards