Need help finding ideal lighting for 30x12x12" tank

[Daven]

There is so much out there that its not as straightforward as i hoped. I dont know what brand are good or bad, and i dont want to buy junk thatll die on me right away. I just set up my 20 gallon long tank and just want lower light plants. Basically whatever i can do without getting into the higher maintenance of CO2 and whatnot. But one of my main concerns are fish colours, as i find the natural daylight lights by themselves wash out the fish colours vs powerglow or etc. Although they do make the plants and other decor look natural and pop in return. It seems i cant find a best of both worlds aside from my 75 gallon, which runs with both a powerglow 18000k and a 6500k t8 bulb and i like it. Alone the powerglow makes driftwood and plants look wrong and these will both be in this tank.

Since i dont want too much light to cause algea without other additives for a heavily planted tank, would you guys just get a glass top and another t8 fixture to run both bulbs? Are there any led hoods that are decent nowdays? Ive heard they werent great before.

 

[TMRC Exotics]

I would absolutely recommend led, I particularly like finnex products. Some are adjustable and allow for you to customize the spectrum. Some even feature a thunderstorm option that while potentially annoying to the fish, has always appealed to me. It just seems cool. Sorry I can't provide more detail, brookster or TT are good with lights.

 

[Daven]

I would absolutely recommend led, I particularly like finnex products. Some are adjustable and allow for you to customize the spectrum. Some even feature a thunderstorm option that while potentially annoying to the fish, has always appealed to me. It just seems cool. Sorry I can't provide more detail, brookster or TT are good with lights.

Thunderstorm option? That sounds like a random add on lol So do you have some of those LED lights? I think i seen what you are talking about, are those the ones where you can add on different squares or whatever for different lighting? How are the red/blue colouring on the fish with it?

 

[melosu58]

I ordered these a few months ago Thanks to Mr X. They really work nice. Best buy I ever did. I needed 3 for my 125 gallon tank.


165W Dimmable Full Spectrum LED Aquarium Light for Coral Reef Marine Fish Lamp | eBay

 

[Daven]

I ordered these a few months ago Thanks to Mr X. They really work nice. Best buy I ever did. I needed 3 for my 125 gallon tank.


165W Dimmable Full Spectrum LED Aquarium Light for Coral Reef Marine Fish Lamp | eBay

Thanks. Those seem like it would be overkill for my tank though. I have less than 12" of water to penetrate. Anyone disagree? Also, i cannot mount anything to the walls or roof as i am renting currently, so id have to find another way to hang it :/

 

[TMRC Exotics]

Those are awesome^ per melosu. I'm getting one for my saltwater 20 gallon. Totally adjustable.
I think the finnex planted+ has some pretty good features. I run the 9" finnex planted+ fugeray on my nano planted, it isn't adjustable in spectrum but features a blue led "night mode" that's pretty cool.

I would absolutely go led over fluorescent tubes. Some of the CFLs can pack a punch if you don't mind designing a diy setup. I built a diy high intensity cfl setup for some plants years ago that worked well before LEDs were as big.

 

[Daven]

I'm not against DIY like the cfl. But I was under the impression that those routes would be too much light for what will actually get used an I have issues.


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[sinibotia]

Cheap, and for lower light plants?

For that I might try a finnex stringray LED? I like mine and it's cheap and simple.

 

[Daven]

Cheap, and for lower light plants?

For that I might try a finnex stringray LED? I like mine and it's cheap and simple.

How do you find the stringray does with fish colours?

I dont necessarily need the cheapest option, but i dont really feel like spending 400 bucks or anything lol Pretty much, im looking for good fish colours and decent plant growth, while not having too much light where id need to start thinking about CO2 or ferts. Just trying to put some plants in to help things stay healthy while keeping it simple.

Edit: i did some looking around on the finnex stingray and it seems like its around what im looking for. Unfortunately amazon.ca only has the 10" model listed and then the planted+. Does anyone know of a place in canada that is decent to buy from and caries the 30" model? Ive only ever gone through amazon

 

[sinibotia]

Well, the light itself had red, blue and white LEDs. Go to my profile and there's a picture of a betta under that light.

 

[Daven]

Well, the light itself had red, blue and white LEDs. Go to my profile and there's a picture of a betta under that light.

I found a place to order it, so thats what im going to try! Thanks for the help