Lighting in a Low tech 55g tank

cerhob

cerhob

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Jan 24, 2009
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Hi all, I've got my tank cycling as we speak so I'm getting ready to get plants and such now. I know the light I currently have is way to low. (35watts for my 55g tank)

My question is what kind of lights should I get? I'm not sure on what plants to get but I would like to have lots of Java moss and Java Fern. I'm not really sure what other low light plants are nice yet. Is it possible to have a "carpet" of some sort of plant with low light?

If any of you have some suggestions of what kinda lights to get, that would be great. Links would even be better.

Also, I don't want to do CO2 cus I dont have that kinda money.

Thank you all for your help
 
I use a Coralife 2x65W PC fixture over my 55 gallon. It's good for growing low light plants. I've had a lot of success with anubias, java fern, java moss, and every cryptocoryne I have ever put in the tank. :) Here is a link to the fixture:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+9871&pcatid=9871

If you end up getting this light, be sure to choose the one for FW. The others come with 50/50 bulbs and that won't help your plants.

As far as getting a plant that will form a carpet in your tank, these are mostly high-light plants. You can plant crypts and they will spread out around the tank, and form a thicker ground covering in time.
 
Thank you for the link. I had spotted that light before. It looks nice. I may buy it unless anyone else has either a better idea or know that I shouldn't get it.

Also, what sort of cover do you use for the tank then?
 
Many people build their own fixtures for much less but that is a very good light.Can grow plenty with that.Dwarf sag is 3-4 inch grass looking plant that will spread out.
 
AHsupply.com Check it out... Good luck with your tank!

--Matt
 
So Compact Fluorescent lights are good? I though I read somewhere that you should steer away from them

As for AHsupply, I'm not sure what to get. Would the 2 x 55 watt kit do well for me?
 
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cerhob, to get away with having "decent" light over a 55 without needing ferts and CO2 you should try to get 110 watts over that tank. Thast exactly 2 wpg which is close to needing CO2 but not necessary.
Go to AHsupply.com and order the 2X55 bright kit. Build that into your existing light strip after you gut it OR build a wooden canopy to build it into. Its really easy to do and the reflectors they provide are top notch. You will be able to grow a lot more plants than you think. Anubias, Java fern, java moss, crypts, vals, anarchis, onion plant, amazon sword, other mosses. For carpets, why dont you get some mesh and do some kind of moss carpet and grow it through the mesh.
 
So I would need to get some sort of cover then so my fish won't jump out isn't that correct? Like a glass cover correct? http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3790

As for that mess idea, that sounds like it could work debric. Thanks for the idea. Now off to google so see what it is!


Also with the AHsupply fixture, I would also need to buy the bulbs correct? Which ones?

Edit: After some thinking, and talking it over with my girlfriend, I think I'll have to go with the fixture and canopy from Drsfostersmith.com. I don't have the tools to make a hood for the lights at AHsupply, nor do any of my friends. (we all live in small apartments, we don't have room nor the space for powertools)
 
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