Help me decide: flourescent fixtures for lightly planted 55

[Notophthalmus]

I'm picking out lights for a new 55, which will be low tech (no CO2 or Fluorish) with a few mosses, Riccia fluitans, and red Ludwigia palustris. I need help choosing an appropriate, affordable fixture.

I came across this: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+9662+9869&pcatid=9869

I would be getting CD-13991.

This is in the right wattage and price range for me, but I'm concerned about the way the lamps are mounted. It seems like there would be an unnecessary amount of restrike, resulting in less available light than the wattage would indicate (as well as shortened lamp life). Is there a similar fixture with each lamp given its own reflector?

Alternatively, I was looking at this two-lamp HO T5 fixture: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+13822+19759&pcatid=19759

I would be getting CD-35610.

Whichever fixture I end up getting, it will be suspended, with a glass top between fixture and water. Any thoughts on which of these two is better? Any help is appreciated.

[Star_Rider]

personally, for me, I would go for the T-5 set up

[Notophthalmus]

Thanks, Star_Rider. Care to elaborate?

[saturday]

Personally I like power compact lamps. This link has one for the same price as what you are looking at. I have an odyssea so I can't comment on the brand. But it has more wattage but not too much, and it doesn't stick up so funny.

http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18369/si1383182/cl0/coralifefreshwateraqualight48powercompactlight2x65 w

[Notophthalmus]

Thanks, Saturday! That actually looks like a better deal than the T5 fixture.

[gmh]

I like that one too. Great price!

[reptileguy2727]

With no carbon source or any fertilizers light should be minimal to keep a balance between all of nutrients that the plants need.

Triple tube fluorescents are good, but for the same or less money you can get a normal output T5 or a DIY fixture.

[Notophthalmus]

I may use small amounts of fertilizers, just not CO2. I can't drop the light too low because I want to keep the Ludwigia palustris nice and red. Normally I am a DIY kind of guy, but I have no electrical skills and don't trust myself to rig up a DIY fixture properly. This will be my girlfriend's tank; she will not be happy if my sloppy wiring burns her apartment down. :headshake2:

I believe I am going to buy the fixture in Saturday's link.

[reptileguy2727]

My 75 only has a double fluorescent with two 50/50 Reef Suns. I use minimal fertilizers, and just recently added Flourish Excel (definitely makes a huge difference). This is my tank:
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c207/reptileguy2727/IMG_1884-1.jpg

[Notophthalmus]

Very nice. I'm surprised the goldies don't mangle your nice foliage.

[Icom]

thats nice..what wattage double is that ?
I dont think I've seen those Reef Sun bulbs

My 75 only has a double fluorescent with two 50/50 Reef Suns. I use minimal fertilizers, and just recently added Flourish Excel (definitely makes a huge difference). This is my tank:
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c207/reptileguy2727/IMG_1884-1.jpg

[reptileguy2727]

I think they are 34 or 36 watts, right around there. So it is just under 1wpg.

Goldfish messing with plants has a lot to do with diet. I feed New Life Spectrum exclusively. When we are not getting enough of a certain nutrient we crave a food that has it. Goldfish are the same way. So if you provide a food that is truly complete and balanced, they don't need anything in the plants and don't bother them. The only other diet I have heard of that produced the same results was a homemade gel food made by someone on a goldfish forum.

[fishorama]

I use a AGA triple tube on a 75g & like it. The bulbs are only <$4 to replace at HD. I keep looking at T5 but having to order more expensive bulbs + S&H...I think I'm just too cheap.