Emersed Setup - Can I do it?

[jcali10]

I was wondering if a 10 gallon tank would be suitable for an emersed setup? I have an empty 10G sitting around, and I was thinking it would be nice to try and grow out some kind of foreground plant.
The notes from an earlier meeting said a regular shop light would suffice; would a 15W light that comes with a 10G tank work?
I'm thinking about trying to grow some c. parva, or marsilea, or some kind of short grass.
I'm not sure what all is required yet. I will have to read up on the subject a little more, but I'd like to start relatively soon.

Please share your thoughts, especially if you are experienced in emersed plants. Thanks.

[krisw]

Joe, a 10G tank can definitely work, especially for the type of plants you're interested in trying. For stem plants, 10G can be a little bit short as they end up reaching the glass and burning against the lights pretty quickly. In emersed setups, for crypts and other low-light plants you can get by with less light. For stems, you can never have enough light. Try the 15W, and if plants aren't growing, or they're incredibly leggy, you'll need more. I suspect you may need more regardless, actually.

[jcali10]

Well, I guess that means I need a new light fixture. Catalina sells a 1 bulb, 36W, 20 inch fixture.

[SCMurphy]

Joe,

Kris said the 15 watt bulb would work for everything but stems. You don't need as much light in an emersed setup because you don't have the light dispersion caused by water.