does riccia needs high lighting? thanks

Yes riccia needs high lighting especially if you have a deep tank. I have 72 W PL-L lighting in my standard 2 foot aquarium. Fortunately, it is easy to see when riccia is receiving enough light and nutrients since it will be pearling (lots of tiny oxygen bubbles will be produced).

72W for 2 ft aquarium?? that's really HIGH...

what do u suggest for my tank 1.5X1X1?

Do you want something off the shelf or a DIY solution? I have no idea what is available off the shelf for the 1.5 foot sized aquariums. In fact, it was quite difficult to get the 2 foot 36 W PL-L fitting that I am using since not many LFS carry it. I suggest starting with a 36 W PL-L and see how it goes with the riccia although due to the length of the tube (which is already 18 inches long) I am not sure whether there will be any fittings that will fit your aquarium. Of course, you can get the longer fitting and have the ends sticking out. East Aqua in Ikano also has some fittings which look like a spotlight and is powered by bulbs that look like the normal energy saving type although I am not sure how effective they are since they don't have proper reflectors.

You will have greater flexibility with the DIY approach and there are several forum members who will be of help in this regard.

Happy New Year!

1.5 feet aquarium, is quite an small tank. The most you can have is about 40L of water / 10 gallon of water

It is possible to get off the shelf Aquarium lamp for such aquarium size, try Pet family at Taman megah but the amount of w/gallon will be very limited.

I have seen once a 36W PL light Fitting case for 1.5 - 2 feet tanks. But can't remember where I seen it.

Alternative will DIY lighting.

BTW how much lighting u intended to have for your riccia tank ?

Hi Ruslan and Nix

Thanks for the advise but I am staying in Penang (unfortunately). This tank is rather small as I am really new and have no experience at all in planted tanks. I don't want to overspend for this simply because I am still a student and have another tank to take care. If this small tank works out, then I'll move on to a bigger one.

I saw one lighting at CTY the other day and it costs between RM70 - RM80 (forgot the W), so I might be going for the DIY.

To Nix: I am thinking of 36W. Saw the Philips PLL 36W, maybe I'm going to use that.

Happy New Year to both of u!

That's a good starting point. If you go DIY, you can use ballasts meant for the 4 foot 36 W tube. However, there's also an electronic ballast that some LFS carry that has 4 pin sockets sticking out so the PLL tube can be connected directly without the need for any additional wiring. Using this makes the job simpler but it does mean that the total length of the whole thing will be longer than your tank.

Make sure you get the 6500K Cool Daylight tube (865) and not the warm white ones.

Thanks Ruslan

yup, second that!

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Here's a photo of my riccia garden... most of the other plants have been recently trimmed/replanted. Image is not as sharp as I would have liked (I'll use a tripod next time) but it was the best of the lot...

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