lighting for 30 gallon planted aquarium

[xgarland77x]

whats up guys, I just recently have been getting into the planted aquarium addiction, the lighting I have in there sucks, can anyone tell me if this seems like an ok deal?
Dual Satellite Light Fixture - 2 x 40W SunPaq lamps - 1 Lunar Light - 20 in. | Compact Fluorescent | Lighting Systems | Aquarium - ThatPetPlace.com

 

[runninwoof]

thats kind of expensive. also it comes with a blue light, which does nothing for plants. heres pretty much the same thing for about 40 bucks less and comes with freshwater lighting, so no need to purchase an additional bulb
http://www.bigalsonline.com/StoreCatalog/ctl3684/cp18360/si2949171/cl1/current_usa_nova_extreme_24_2x24w_t5_10000k__freshwater?&path=c3684-def-USD-16695%23%23-1%23%23-1%7E%7Eq63757272656e742073617474616c697465203230%7E%7Ec3684-def-USD-18356%23%23f%23%2338%7E%7Enc3684-def-USD-18360%23%230%23%23l&queryType=0&offset=30

 

[xgarland77x]

thanks but, my aquarium is only 20.5 inches across so there would be around 2 inches of over hang on each side...any other suggestions?

 

[xgarland77x]

96 watt lights for 30 gallon, w/diy/hagan co2 system?

Coralife Freshwater Aqualight-20" 6700K Quad-96 Watt at Big Al's Online

how about this one

 

[jsoong]

Agree that the 1st one is more for salt water & you will need to buy FW bulbs to use it with plants, so $$$.

If you have a canopy, it might be more economical to go for a retrofit kit.
Maybe this: 36 or 55 watt Bright Kits
<I'd get the 2x36W if medium light & 2x55W for a high-tech CO2 set up.>

The 96W Coralife (above) is good too, although that will put you into high light territory & costs almost 2x as much as the kit.

 

[xgarland77x]

I just bout that one online...what do you mean by high light territory? Do I need more co2, fert?

 

[fort384]

With high light it will be important to balance your available nutrients... most likely you will need to dose N, P, K, and a micro-nutrient fertilizer.

For CO2, to keep algae growth down, you will want to maintain roughly 30+ppm CO2 in your tank.

 

[xgarland77x]

hey Fort I bought your co2 setup off ebay...how do you know how much to dose of the nutrients/fertilizer??