Lighting suggestions

[Etunes]

I am looking for a good light system for a heavily planted tank. I don't know if i want a heavily lighted tank so i will take suggestions for all kinds of lighting. So i want suggestions. please help.

 

[thominil]

Here is the fixture I have been looking at for my 29g once it goes back up as a planted tank: Aquarium Lighting for Freshwater and Reef Systems: Nova Extreme Compact SLR T-5 Fixtures I will be getting the 30" freshy fixture. Nice fixtures as they give you medium light which gives you a good variety to choose from. Another plus is that they are pretty cheap unlike some other fixtures which can cost you $200+. HTH.

 

[JPKeenan]

depending on the size of the tank and how you have it set up....

I have been trying to look for different sized shop lights.

 

[mgamer20o0]

the amount of plants doesnt matter its what plants you want and how much light they require plus tank size.

 

[JPKeenan]

The Watts per gallon thing

First sip of coffee got me thinking. If you have a good wattage a foot or two above the tank wouldn't it have less light going underwater? And if using a "grow light" would the wave length get scattered before it hits the water?

 

[Etunes]

Havent decided what kinds of plansts i want, but i think i am going to just go with up to medium lighted plants this time, maybe in the future make it a high light planted tank. I am going to try to do a Co2 tank on it too. The tank is a 75g.

 

[jsoong]

I use 2 double shoplights, so 4x32W T8's (6700K Phillips). I did gut them & mounted the parts in the canopy at 3" or so above the water. It is giving me good solid med light. I have room to mount 2-4 more T8's if I want. <Mounting it 6-12" above the water prob won't be too bad, you lose a little bit from scatter, but I wouldn't worry unless you are mounting the light on the ceiling or something.>

The shop light route would be the cheapest, but at the rate the T5-HO's prices are coming down, I think a 2x54W T5HO would be a nice one for that tank as well.