How to light a 55 gallon blackwater tank and still grow plants?

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The Baron

Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Joined
Aug 7, 2009
Messages
29
Location
Canada
Hello all.

I have a question regarding lighting up a standard 55 gallon tea color amamzon themed tank and still have enough light to grow plants and enhance the color of the fish?

The stocking is as follows;

6 Julii cory, 10 Bloodfin Tetra, 10 Redeye Tetra and 6 Blue Rams cichlids.

Substrate is silica sand.

Currently has stock lighting with canopy but looking at the Coralife Aqualight T5 Series - Double Linear Strip--not the ho.

Would this light take away the tea color water or just enhance it more. I DO want the tea color.

Is their a combination of bulbs that would be effective for both jobs?

The plants I want to grow are Amazon Swords, Vals, Cabomba and Wisteria.

The current stock lighting is not enough for the vals and swords and cabomba.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Dan
 
I am in Canada, so it wouldnt be cost effective for me. I can get the Coralife Aqualight T5 for about $75.

I;m more concerned about keeping the tea color water and gorwing plants without blinding the fish and losing the color of the water.

Thanks
 
I got an HO ballast for my regular T5 fixture. I had to screw it on the outside, but it overdrives the bulbs nicely. $20
 
Just get a better reflector. You want more PAR out of your light to penetrate the stained water. A better reflector will direct more light into the aquarium.
 
But with 36 watts, thats only about .75 wpg.

Thats not going to grow amazon swords or vals very well if all???
 
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