So I am setting up my 36Lx24Hx18w aquarium which has been stored in the garage for the last 2 years. It calculates to be a bit over 67 gal but I would guess that it's technically a 65 gal. I bought this tanks about 6 years ago for $100 and it came with 2 filters, stand, siphon, and other supplies. I had successfully kept it a community aquarium for several years learning as I went. I now want to set it up for a planted aquarium which it will probably be low tech because I don't want to make it too complicated since it will be my first planted aquarium. I would like to stay away from having to use co2 or anything else that would make it a really high tech aquarium.
I currently have 2 single bulb t12 lamps that match the aquarium but the t12's seem to be pretty outdated as far as the availability and strength of bulbs that are needed for planted tanks. I am thinking about retrofitting them to t5's and more than likely t5ho. I have looked into using LED's but not really sure the cost. I would like to keeps the cost down since right now I will be moving and am a bit tight with cash at the moment until my fiancée starts her new job once we move.
The ballast i have looked into getting are the workhorse 3 which will run a 24, 39, or 54watt HO bulb. Everything would cost less than $50 besides the bulbs. My questions are would 2 39watt bulbs be sufficient enough for my tank being planted tank and what type of plants could i use? Would it just be low light plants? Would the light penetration be sufficient in this aquarium with 2 39 watt? It seems most t5HO bulbs are 39 watts. Are there any 54 watt T5HO's? I haven't seen any. Are there any budget ways to retrofit my lamp with higher watt LEDs? Any advice or ideas would be fantastic. Thanks!
I currently have 2 single bulb t12 lamps that match the aquarium but the t12's seem to be pretty outdated as far as the availability and strength of bulbs that are needed for planted tanks. I am thinking about retrofitting them to t5's and more than likely t5ho. I have looked into using LED's but not really sure the cost. I would like to keeps the cost down since right now I will be moving and am a bit tight with cash at the moment until my fiancée starts her new job once we move.
The ballast i have looked into getting are the workhorse 3 which will run a 24, 39, or 54watt HO bulb. Everything would cost less than $50 besides the bulbs. My questions are would 2 39watt bulbs be sufficient enough for my tank being planted tank and what type of plants could i use? Would it just be low light plants? Would the light penetration be sufficient in this aquarium with 2 39 watt? It seems most t5HO bulbs are 39 watts. Are there any 54 watt T5HO's? I haven't seen any. Are there any budget ways to retrofit my lamp with higher watt LEDs? Any advice or ideas would be fantastic. Thanks!