55g lighting

[Fish_guygobies]

I have a 55g low light planted tank, and that's the problem. I want it high light. I have two t8 florescent bulbs on there and they really don't do much. Any tips on what the best lighting would be? Was thinking maybe t5 florescents because I've heard good reports of them.

 

[sinibotia]

WHat about 2 of these? I think that would be pretty high light?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019GE4W9K/ref=s9_hps_bw_g199_i4

 

[Brookster123]

Do you really want "high" light? What do you want for plants? Do you know how much it will cost to put a 55 into the high light range?

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[Coursair]

Do you want to do injected CO2 ? If not, avoid High Light. Or you'll just grow Algae.

High Light opens up a lot of plant choices, but it's a balancing act. You'd need to up your Ferts and CO2 and keep up on the weekly water changes.

You can't just throw high wattage at a tank without the rest. Plus you'll need to do more trimming/maintenance.

If you know all this stuff, feel free to disregard.

I have a 4 bulb T5HO fixture over my 55g. I'm only running 2 bulbs for 6 hours. Until I can add CO2


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[Fish_guygobies]

Do you really want "high" light? What do you want for plants? Do you know how much it will cost to put a 55 into the high light range?

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I want the light as good as it can get. No more no less.

 

[Fish_guygobies]

Do you want to do injected CO2 ? If not, avoid High Light. Or you'll just grow Algae.

High Light opens up a lot of plant choices, but it's a balancing act. You'd need to up your Ferts and CO2 and keep up on the weekly water changes.

You can't just throw high wattage at a tank without the rest. Plus you'll need to do more trimming/maintenance.

If you know all this stuff, feel free to disregard.

I have a 4 bulb T5HO fixture over my 55g. I'm only running 2 bulbs for 6 hours. Until I can add CO2


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What do I need for Co2? How much does one of those reactors go for? I can't do DIY on a 55g tank it's not worth it

 

[Brookster123]

So get yourself a dimmable led. You can start out lower and increase light as needed. Co2 will be necessary with high light along with quality ferts. High light tanks need a good balance or else you'll have an algae farm. Current satellite plus pro would be a good fit. Build my led is great just a but pricey. You could probably get away with 2 finnex 24 / 7 to hit medium light . I wouldn't cheap out on lighting, but once, buy right.

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[Fish_guygobies]

Do you want to do injected CO2 ? If not, avoid High Light. Or you'll just grow Algae.

High Light opens up a lot of plant choices, but it's a balancing act. You'd need to up your Ferts and CO2 and keep up on the weekly water changes.

You can't just throw high wattage at a tank without the rest. Plus you'll need to do more trimming/maintenance.

If you know all this stuff, feel free to disregard.

I have a 4 bulb T5HO fixture over my 55g. I'm only running 2 bulbs for 6 hours. Until I can add CO2


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I think I'll do t5's. Any reccomendations?

 

[Coursair]

LEDs are cheaper to run and use less energy and last longer.

I'm using an AquaticLife T5HO fixture.
This one I think ?

Aquatic Life Light T5 HO 4-Lamp 4-L...p/B0030VD4OU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_sa0LwbWE9WTD1

Mine was given to me from a club member. Mine has a mixture of bulbs, plus I was given 6 replacement bulbs.

PAR on this can be quite high.

You'll find a lot of people are buying the better LED fixtures now.


Make sure any fixture you buy has correct bulbs for planted tank rather than Saltwater.

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[Coursair]

What do I need for Co2? How much does one of those reactors go for? I can't do DIY on a 55g tank it's not worth it

Keep an eye on the Sale forum on The Planted Tank. Also eBay. BUT research. Many people sell their first rigs because they were cheap for a reason.


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[Coursair]

Top of the line ?

http://m.drsfostersmith.com/product...-Jbm4BeiwDa6g7QZYBMeJajldZ7P6HwGvEaAmIh8P8HAQ

http://greenleafaquariums.com/products/gla-pro-ss-co2-system-two-stage-advanced.html

Plus there is a UK company selling on eBay that has good reviews.

Check with your local club. It's cheaper to have a CO2 guru build you a custom rig. There used to be guys on TPT doing this.




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[Coursair]

If you want to start out the cheapest but still ok look at Paintball rigs.
http://www.amazon.com/Premium-AQUAT..._UL160_SR153,160_&refRID=0GBXYDATY69TY53Z5X9H

You can buy adaptors to use a paintball canister or use a 20lb CO2 tank. I am very new to CO2 myself. I've always run low tech low light small tanks.

This is my 55g that I'm trying new things on.




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