light fixture

[SNAKEMANVET]

I have had several freshwater setups,but now I am wanting to do live plants in my 120.The tank dimisions are 4x2x2.What light fixture would you guys suggest.

 

[neilanh]

Moving to General Hardware forum.

What kind of setup are you looking to get into? Are you just looking to be able to grow some basic, low-light plants, or are you wanting to go hi-tech high-light with CO2 and fertilizers and the whole 9 yards?

Depending on what you want to do will determine how much light you'll need.

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

I would like to start off with low to medium light plants,I may go to high light plants later.I have a 6 x 54 watt tec light that I had on my 120 when it was a reef tank.Since I upgraded to a 240 no need for them.

 

[mr_X]

the 6 x 54 tek light would be perfect for high light plants. you could turn off half of the bulbs if you just want to do low light plants.

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

Thats good to know,Which bulbs would work best with plants,and have good color.My substrate is sand,about 3'' deep,and I have 2 large pieces of driftwood and some large rocks.I have a 40 gallon sump for filtration and a quiet one 4000 hh as my return pump.

 

[mr_X]

well, i'm not sure about aquatic plants, but i know that 6500k is the target color temp for normal house plant growth, and is also the best color temp for refugium macro algae, so i would have a couple of those, and a few actinics to take the yellow out of the tank.
you could buy GE 6500k lamps from lowes or home depot for 3 bucks a piece last i checked.

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

Thanks Doug,The 6500k bulbs you are refering to is the fluorscent compact spiral bulbs. If so I could mount two of those and two of my actinic bulbs also.

 

[neilanh]

I have the 4bulb tek fixtures on my planted tank and love them.

I use the geissman bulbs, they're my favorites, albeit a little pricey. I run a mixture of their Midday (6000K) and their aquablue+ bulbs and have had great success.

 

[mr_X]

no. i meant 6500k t-5 HO lamps, made by general electric. you would put them right in the tek light.

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

Thanks Doug,The planted tank will be a new adventure for me.

 

[mr_X]

no problem. btw, the giesemann bulb neilan mentioned will work too. i was just offering another option.

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

I have 2 new giesemann powerchrome aqua blue+ bulbs that are 15,000k.I never got around to useing before breaking down the 120 reef.

 

[mr_X]

then use them for the blues and get a single 6500k lamp for now and see if 3 lamps is ok for you at this time. that 6 lamp fixture has 2 cords, right? 3 and 3?

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

It has 2 cords,1 for the 2 outside bulbs and the other for the 4 in the middle.Thanks again for your help.

 

[mr_X]

well, then you have your choice of 4 lamps, or two. i would probably use the 4 for now, those 2 giesemanns, a 6500k, and maybe an ATI blue plus.
that should make the tank look pretty good, and still get some decent plant growth.

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

I put the light fixture on today with 2 aqua blue+ and 1 6500k and I really like the color.I am letting the tank cycle for about 2 weeks before putting fish or inverts in.