Mushroom lighting

[col]

I only have NO lighting, 30w 10000k and 20w actinic in a 42G, 18 inch deep tank.
How much more would I need to successfuly keep shrooms?

 

[leigh]

when i first set up my tank i had 80 watts (a dual NO strip) over a 50 gal tank. I was able to keep umbrellas, a hairy mushroom, and other small shrooms alive. They weren't spreading with any great speed, nor were they growing much, but they existed. If you could turn one of your single strip NO lights into a dual strip you'd probably be about there for keeping a few shrooms. You could also look into low light corals if that's your thing? There are many non-photosynthetic corals out there, but you have to be meticulous about spot feeding them daily/regularly.
-leigh

 

[col]

Thanks Leigh
Will a 40w ballast run a 30w tube?

 

[leigh]

Yes, a ballast rated for higher wattage should be able to fire a lower wattage bulb. But why would you want to?!? I say if you have the ballast for 40 watts, put 40 in 'er!

 

[col]

Just spent £25 on new bulbs!!!!!