Lighting recommendations for 55g

[mmckinniss]

Any lighting recommendations for a 55g freshwater tank? I'd like to stay relatively low maintenance in my planting (no CO2 systems) for now. A kid at the LFS pointed me toward the Deep Blue 248, but all the Amazon reviews are terrible. All ideas will be considered. Thanks.

 

[Rivercats]

Are you going to do a planted tank? If so do you want low light or medium light that would give you a larger variety of plants to choose from? Also you can use a liquid carbon instead of CO2 if you go with a medium light set up.

I have a T5HO's 2 bulb fixture on one of my 55's and a Build My Led fixture on the other 55. The BML fixture can be purchased with a dimmer which allows you to use 10-100% of the light so you can use it for lower light but wouldn't need to buy a new fixture if you want to move into a higher light.

 

[mmckinniss]

Are you going to do a planted tank? If so do you want low light or medium light that would give you a larger variety of plants to choose from? Also you can use a liquid carbon instead of CO2 if you go with a medium light set up. I have a T5HO's 2 bulb fixture on one of my 55's and a Build My Led fixture on the other 55. The BML fixture can be purchased with a dimmer which allows you to use 10-100% of the light so you can use it for lower light but wouldn't need to buy a new fixture if you want to move into a higher light.

Yes, I'm planning a planted tank, but I'm not interested in high maintenance CO2 set ups. Your LED solution is intriguing for its scalability.

 

[Rivercats]

I have 4 Build My Led fixtures and love the versatility of them. They are more expensive but over the long haul they don't need bulb replacing every 6-12 months which can add up and the fact you can use them any way you want is priceless. I use the high light 6 hours a day and then use the 10% for a few hours extra in the evening on most tanks but I have one tank that I only use 50% of the light for 6 hours then 10% in the evening.

Here's a link... Freshwater - Build My LED, LLC.

 

[Atxpunx]

I have a T5HO's 2 bulb fixture on one of my 55's

What light intensity do you consider this tank?

 

[Rivercats]

What light intensity do you consider this tank?

A solid medium light but I also use Geisemann bulbs which I think put out a really good light.