lighting

[fisheyes]

okay so i've looked at diy lighting and only got confused so i think that i'm eventually going to just buy it online. I have a 55gal fw planted tank. I was thinking about getting http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=24037;category_id=1875;pcid1=1843;pcid2=
does that sound okay or does any one else have any suggestions? thanks

 

[electrikat]

Do you have a co2 reactor of some kind? That light gives you 4.7wpg which will require a co2 injector of some kind, right?

 

[fisheyes]

Not yet but i'm going to. Does this sound okay or what about http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=46314&item=4376406381&rd=1
which whoud be better?

 

[electrikat]

That looks like the much better set up and price depending on what kind of plants you want. Here is an article on lighting planted tanks.


http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?dept_id=0&aid=713

 

[TankGirl]

I know I am coming in late here but I have that fixture on my 55 and let me tell you, it is a bear to keep that thing balanced. I was running two 2-liter DIY CO2 for years but I could just not keep up. I am now running pressurized and I have to watch that tank like a hawk - dosing something daily or every other day, so be prepared. You can very easily have an algae swamp and a bunch of smothered plants.

If you are experienced and are ready to upgrade, then go for it - but if this is your first planted tank, or your first hight light CO2 experience, then you might want to keep things in the 2.5wpg range if possible.

 

[fisheyes]

Thank you so much for your advice, I did end up going with the 2.5 wpg range. Thanks again