Lighting reccommendtions

[Fishnut]

I'm trying to figure out the lighting for my new tank.  Right now I have a Zoomed Ultra Sun bulb on it but I'll be able to have 3 types of bulbs when I pick up my extra light fixture. 

I want to have as many plants as I can put in it without having to go into CO2 and I want the tank to look as sunny as possible, so how many watts per gallon is recommended and are there differences between the brands?

[fischkopp]

I'm trying to figure out the lighting for my new tank.  Right now I have a Zoomed Ultra Sun bulb on it but I'll be able to have 3 types of bulbs when I pick up my extra light fixture. 

I want to have as many plants as I can put in it without having to go into CO2 and I want the tank to look as sunny as possible, so how many watts per gallon is recommended and are there differences between the brands?

From my experience I would reconsider this point. Even with many plants in a shady tank you will have to add CO2 to keep it growing without any algae. And hence you want the sunny look you should go for it. Seriously, if you really want to have fun growing plants under these conditions then do not safe with CO2. Simple DIY yeast will do the trick in the beginning.

As for WPG: this really depends on the plants you have and the height of the tank. Generally, the fun starts @2WPG and the higher the tank the more light you will need. Try to use bulbs around 6500K or warm-white, if you want to go fancy then use Hagens life-glo and power-glo (its 18K, but really great to show color). If you have the chance to choose a socket then use T5.

Hope this helps. Have fun

[sdivell]

stay below 3wpg if you want to avoid needing Co2.  And from my understanding if you are going over 3wpg then you should be using a pressurized Co2 system

[BigDaddy]

10,000K bulbs "look" brighter than 5000K or 6700K bulbs if you want that "sunny look" (the bulbs are whiter and more resemble full sun).

As far as what type of lighting.. it really depends on the fixtures you plan on buying or have purchased.  There would be different recommendations if you went with standard shop lights vs. compact fluorescent hoods vs. DIY T5 setups.

[dan2x38]

I have some OK results with low lighting on one tank. I use no CO2 just fertilize when the plants so signs they need some. In that tank I grow: amazons, crpyts, java fern, anbuias nana, polysperma, dwarf sag, few others I forget. They all grow slowly but nice healthy looking. The tank has no algae it takes care of it's self. I prune it once in awhile.

[Toss]

I agree with fischkopp, life-glow and power-glow is a good combo for brightness and colour (for the fishes too). I am using the same combo. If you want to put three bulb, 2 life with 1 power in the middle. One of the life bulb, place it close to the front pane of the glass and tilt (the reflector) backward. Just like the lighting setup for window display at the stores.