Please, advices on new 400lt

[vicreidel]

Hello, I'm needing some suggestions about lights, watts, for a 160x50x50 tank. For clowns, yo-yo and kubs
200wt is ok?
Thanks

[Diana]

200 watts is a good amount of light for a planted tank, but will grow a lot of algae if you are not planning on plants.

If you do want plants then look also at the color of the light. You want lights ranging from 6,500K to 10,000K

I use a mix of lights from about 5,500 on up over my tanks, and get several different color ranges. Makes the fish look better when there is a better mix of light.

[vicreidel]

Thank you diana but, I've had a 300lt, with 3 t8 of 36wt each. From back first 860, grolux and 954. That was 108wt.
In the new 400lt. T, should I put more lights? 108wt is ok? the mix could work, 8-- grolux 9--?
Thanks

[helen nightingale]

i cant make any suggestions about your lighting, as my loaches ensure i only grow tough plants rather than pretty plants. i just wanted to check you are aware of loaches abilty to destroy plants if they feel like it. i understand clowns can be bad, and my yoyos have turned big bits of anubias on wood into small floating plants

[vicreidel]

Thanks helen, but is there any combination to suggest or how many watts should I use in this project...
Thanks

[helen nightingale]

it depend on whether you want to try for lots of different sorts of plants, and take the risk of your loaches ripping them up - some people's loaches are better behaved than others.

i just have java fern and java moss in my tank, which do not need much light. i have a 5 foot long tank, and i just run 1 4 foot bulb along the back, i cant remember the wattage, its just a standard light spectrum aquarium bulb. then i have a blue bulb for morning and night. its not a particularly brightly lit aquarium, but in general the loaches dont want bright lighting. i have no intention of putting other plants in the tank, so it doesnt matter.

if you do want to try a planted tank, i am sure what Diana has said wil be fine, as she knows what she is talking about and has lots of experience

[vicreidel]

Plants are secondary for this tank.
So, from 5500 up to 10000k would be the better range?
And how many wat/liter?
Thanks

[Keith Wolcott]

I have 1/10 of a watt per liter on my loach tank. Like Helen's this is fairly low light, and I only have Java fern and java moss which is growing well.

[vicreidel]

Thank you, that's 1wt/10lt. isn't it?