Question about lighting

[aparker2005]

Hey everyone.........I'm about to be ordering this new lighting system for my 55 gallon tank. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113345. It will be 130 watts instead of the current 30 watts I have.


I'm mainly wanting to grow Wisteria, Anachris, Asian Amblia, and Java Moss. I'd love for it to grow really high and thick, like a lot of the planted tanks I've seen on here which are just stunning. Will this be enough light for my tank? Also, would it be better to get a glass canopy for the cover, or get the mounting legs and keep it above the water with no cover? I'd be worried about stuff like air freshener or cleaning products getting in the water, but I see some tanks on here with no cover? Thanks!

[loaches r cool]

Hmm, link says:
We're sorry...
The page you are looking for is no longer available. We apologize for any inconvenience

[aparker2005]

I'm sorry...........here's the correct link:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=9871&N=2004+113345

I'm planning on getting the 48" one by the way

[jtburf]

Didn't you already post this.

about the cover: depends about your house conditions i.e little kids, routty freinds etc. if you are worried then just get it.

[shaggbark]

I'm going to order the same one for 90 gallon I am putting together. Friends at Plantgeeks.com say it's a good light for freshwater plants.

[phanmc]

The fixture will provide more than enough light for your plant choice, you may need to consider additional ferts and CO2.

I'd get the mounting legs regardless if you go with a glass top or not, the fixture doesn't cover the entire top of the tank and it makes it easier to work in the tank without having to remove it.

Lots of people have open top tanks. Small amounts of airborne chemicals shouldn't harm the tank. A bigger concern would be jumpers and you'll be limited in your fish choice with an open top.

[red devil]

Also an open top increases the amount of water you will loose to evaporation, especially in hot weather, as well as the likelihood of something falling into the tank while you are standing over it and admiring it.

[aparker2005]

I've also had an air stone in my tank for a good while, and I turned it off since I have the Wisteria and Ambulia in there right now. I have 2 Pengiun Bio-Wheel 350 filters on my tank, so should that and the plants provide enough oxygen? I've always thought you had to have an air stone, but I've read they're not good for plants and don't add much oxygen anyway?

[Mgamer20o0]

should be good.

[geofied]

Air stone could help bring CO2 into the tank if you don't inject CO2. Air stone will likely release wanted CO2 if you do inject CO2.

I go back/forth about my glass tops. I take them off when it is really hot and I want to get some extra air from a nearby fan in the top. Of course evaporation is increased a bit. But I've noticed that when it is hot there is a lot of evaporation with or without the top. Your choice, and as phanmc mentioned jumpers likely be your real concern. I've never had a jumper yet though, and I'd like to think it's because my tanks are so comfy :).

The lights sound great, should be perfect for that tank. You can always up CO2 if the growth (or algae) steps-up more than anticipated.