planting a 55 - need some help

[jenratico]

I'm planting my 55 gallon. I have a mixed Tec Minerals and Flourite substrate and the standard double hood for a 55. Each hood takes one 18" bulb and so I put in 15W Flora-Glo. But I'm not sure this will be enough light for even the low light plants since it doesn't even get me to 1 watt per gallon. Do you think I need a new hood? Any suggestions?

I would like to add some plants that would do some kinda carpety-spread in the foreground, any suggestions for a low light tank?

I appreciate the help!

[John N.]

The standard hood you have is most likely not enough to grow plants, especially carpet plants. You may have some limited luck with growing some anubias and java ferns in the background and a carpet of Marselia sp. but it will be tough and slow growing.

I would upgrade to a better lighting system such as an ahsupply.com 2x55 watt kit, or 4x55 watts if you want to have more lights to grow any plant you want. Despite being an intimidating DIY project, it's really easy to setup and are the best lights you can get. Otherwise, you may want to simply purchase a pair of Coralife 2x55 watt fixtures.

-John N.

[Reddog80p]

:iagree: with Ahsupply :thumbsup:

[BoredAgain]

Or do the DIY rig in my sig.

[juggalo420zf]

i would go to wally world and get a 48" shop light for 9 bucks. get whatever 48" bulbs you want, i use the plant and aquarium bulbs from wally world, though any 32 watt or 40 watt bulb should work.

[0live]

^^^ thats what I've done.. i've got 4 bulbs over my 55.. 2 plant tubes and 2 6500 k's

even on a smaller tank it works.. I've got a strip that hangs above my 29 plus the 29's single strip. the 48" light is also used for my house plants, which flank each side of the aquarium.

[Icom]

i would go to wally world and get a 48" shop light for 9 bucks. get whatever 48" bulbs you want, i use the plant and aquarium bulbs from wally world, though any 32 watt or 40 watt bulb should work.


80 watts for about $20 or a little less. Get a pack of the Daylight Deluxe 6500k bulbs;about $6 for a 2 pack.You can hang them over the tank or make blocks of any size to sit them over the tank as high off the top as you prefer.
These actually work very well,I used them for years and am setting up a "tank room" in the basement which the tanks lights are going to be about 75% shop lights

[jenratico]

Thanks for all the input. DIY and being a busy working mom doesn't go so well right now, so I ordered a compact fluorescent aqualight fixture that should be here in a few days. I had wanted to upgrade that old hood anyway, it's been plugging away for about 10 years now.

This is my first time doing a planted tank and I'm excited! I've added the driftwood and built up one side of the substrate with lacerock terraces. I think it will look great once some plants get going.

With the better lighting, what suggestions do you all have for moss on driftwood and plants that would grow up to the top and plants that would carpet? I can get up to 130 watts from the new fixture - but may try running it with only one of the 65 watt bulbs to avoid adding CO2.

Ideas?

[Yoemen]

chain swords can make a nice carpet effect.