Lighting Issues

[Daumi]

I have a 37 gallon tall tank and I am having issues finding a light strong enough to reach my smaller plants on the bottom... What would you guys suggest?? Links to the exact light would be AWESOME if you wanna post them... Also, I am more along the lines looking for a bulb to fit into my current hood.Not one of the mounted lights, if you know what I mean?

Dimensions of the tank are:

Length: 30 1/4

Width: 12 1/2

Height: 22 3/4

Thank you so much in advance...

 

[Joyler]

What kinda hood you got? Need more info...

 

[Daumi]

The hood and light (holder?) came with the tank. It was a top fin kit on sale at Petsmart... Picture at:

Google Image Result for http://s3.amazonaws.com/tc-photos/11442/product/giant/516029.jpg

 

[Daumi]

THink it is called Perfect-a-Lite Hood?? Posted a link to a pic I found online but it has to be approvec by the mods...

 

[Joyler]

What kind of plants do you have? Are the med/high light plants? Low light? Do you have any names?

 

[Daumi]

Low to medium light plants but only because of my current light restrictions. I would like to be able to include some higher light plants.

Right now I have java moss, water wisteria, anubias, amazon sword.

 

[Joyler]

Have you thought of upgrading the light fixture? They have lights that do incredible things T5-HO's are my new thing...parents just bought me a two light fixture! And it is fantastic for any plant...if you decide to go that route (yes it is more expensive, but higher quality) there are two bulbs that seem to be crucial in most consensus...6700Kelvin and the 10000K....the provide great helpful light for growing plants well, and also provides light that really makes fish color pop! Just a thought...

 

[Daumi]

I have definitely thought about that. Thinking it is going to have to be the route that I go. In the mean time, I may go ahead and remove all the medium light plants and stick with some hardy low light plants. What's your opinion on the best low-light, and hardy plants?

 

[Joyler]

Hmmm let me do a little research, I haven't gotten my plants yet...I'll get back to you! I hope I'm giving good info...

 

[Joyler]

Oh...what kind of fish do you have? Is this a more acidic tank or more "basic"?

 

[Joyler]

For the most part you will have to stay away from redder colored plants...most require high lighting to stay healthy...

 

[Daumi]

Yes, your advice is great. I was hoping there were some bulbs that would get me out of having to purchase a more expensive hood/light fixture, but as in any other aspect of this hobby, the cheapest way is NOT the best way. Hehe.

I have tried doing some research on low light plants, but there seems to be so many aspects of plant keeping that I don't quite have a grasp on. It is all a bit overwhelming.

I currently have 6 zebra danios, 5 peppered cories, 4 ghost shrimp and a female betta.

 

[Vircomore]

I had a similar situation with my Aqueon aquarium kit that came with a similar hood and light setup - i'm guessing the actual lid is black or colored with just a clear "window" where the light sits?

What I ended up having to do is upgrade the lid along with the lights. Even if you do get a fixture with bright enough lights - you won't be able to get that light to shine through the little "window". I upgraded to an all-glass lid with an easy-to-cut plastic on the back edge that I could cut for my filter inputs, cords, airlines, etc. and then with the all-glass lid you can use just about any fixture you find that fits your tank.

Even if you upgrade the lid to glass first, you can still leave your old Top Fin light just sitting on the glass until you buy your new light.

 

[Daumi]

Right now the hood is glass actually... Heh. The light sits right on top. I found a 30 inch T5 HO light on Ebay for only $78.95 so I am just going to get that. It is not as expensive as I was expecting.

 

[Joyler]

Right now the hood is glass actually... Heh. The light sits right on top. I found a 30 inch T5 HO light on Ebay for only $78.95 so I am just going to get that. It is not as expensive as I was expecting.

Is it a double balast?

 

[Joyler]

Anubias barteri- from what I understand...it needs to be grown above substrate on a rock or DW
Ceratophyllum Demersum (hornwort)- if you have medium light
Cryptocoryne Affinis
Echinodorus cordifolius
Egeria densa (elodea densa)
Java fern- very popular
Java moss- epic grower
Acorus gramineus- Japanese rush
Ophiopogon japonicus

Here are some species for low to moderate light I found out....does this help?

 

[Daumi]

I just read the ad again and it says that it is an external ballast (no idea?).

 

[Daumi]

Anubias barteri- from what I understand...it needs to be grown above substrate on a rock or DW
Ceratophyllum Demersum (hornwort)- if you have medium light
Cryptocoryne Affinis
Echinodorus cordifolius
Egeria densa (elodea densa)
Java fern- very popular
Java moss- epic grower
Acorus gramineus- Japanese rush
Ophiopogon japonicus

Here are some species for low to moderate light I found out....does this help?

Yes, very much. Thanks!

 

[Joyler]

It looks like external ballast just means it sits above tank and not in a typical hood...does the link have a pic?

 

[Daumi]

30" T5 HO Aquarium Light Hood Freshwater Plant 96W - eBay (item 300542463752 end time Apr-29-11 17:39:08 PDT)