Is it possible to have too much lighting?

[imagirlgeek]

If I'm using pressurized CO2 on a 50 gallon planted tank, is there a such thing as 'too much lighting'?

[Delock]

yes

so take off the 400 watts metal halide

[Darbex]

Good rule of thumb I have read and heard is 3 watts per gallon

[Darbex]

And dont listen to Ek on how much to use.

[Mzungu]

Anything's possible, but how much are you talking about? As long as you balance the light with ferts and CO2, you can actually put quite a bit on there, given that the plants you're using won't react adversely. Some plants just don't like a lot of light. And some will grow quite differently with different amounts of light.

[eklikewhoa]

It really depends on you system you set up and what you want to get out of it....there is almost never too much.

I ran as much as 20wpg on a planted tank and felt it could have been more. The growth I seeked to accomplish was not capable with less since the added light helped fill the void where other aspects lacked.

I know screenname has a tank right now running 40something wpg and the growth rate and pattern is amazing.

Don't listen to those that say otherwise cause some just fear the change or not willing to try....

[imagirlgeek]

Here are the specs on the light guygeek just got me for my b'day...it shipped early so I get to have it now.

2x 250W DE HQI, 4x 65W Compact Fluorescent, 6x Dual Bluemoon LED

[Darbex]

I am sure Ek would love you to turn on all. The most I run is 192W on a 29G and my plants are growing like crazy. Remember the more nutrients and light they have the faster they will grow. Means more trimming.

[imagirlgeek]

Well, since i'm a noob, I'm actually looking forward to the trimming. I still find it completely theraputic to mess with the plants. That will likely change and eventually become a chore. )

[Darbex]

Well not sure I find it theraputic to plant and build tanks. Trimming is calming at times for me as well but sometimes it can be a chore when you dont feel like it but the baby tears are about 5 in. tall.

[eklikewhoa]

If you had enough light those baby tears would not be 5" tall.

[HoustonFishFanatic]

Traci, the light we have over our aquarium is not even 0.001% of the light (sun) which the plants actually grow in.
The light which we have over our tanks is just the bare minimum.
If you can balance the carbon and fertilizer having a good amount of light over a planted tank is beneficial. But if you are new to planted tanks having a lot of light can make things go wrong quickly.
The light you have bought is good. You will just have to go a little slowly.
Thanks
Bhushan

[screename]

Traci, the most important things in a planted tank are light, CO2, ferts, subtrate, and flow. Balance out the equation of lighting, CO2, and ferts and you will not have any problems. The biggest problem with high lighting is algae. If you dont balance your co2 and ferts accordingly, you might run into some nasty algae. you may think that a little algae is no big deal but Ive had friends tear down entire 75 gallons because it took over their tank and they could not get rid of it.

That being said, I do have a tank right now running 43.2 wpg. There is ZERO algae and my plants grow at a ridiculous rate. Its all about being patient and messing with your water parameters to get that perfect balance.

[spyke1969]

Sounds like a nice light, cant wait to see the pics, Its all about balance!! Plus you dont have to run all the lights all the time, Thats why they make timers!!

[screename]

I want to experiment with 100 wpg just for fun. I think it is doable. 10 gallon. 2x250 MH on top. 2x65w PCs on the 4 remaining sides.