View Full Version : ? Lighting for a 55Gallon
Mrssacevedo
07-23-2009, 9:43 PM
Okay so here it is, I have a 55g tank that currently has brigs and one guppy. I want to turn it into a planted aquarium. I already have plants that are in a 10g with all they need. I have sand and will be buying 60lbs of black flourite sand to mix in. I have all I need to set up a DIY CO2 for this tank (2) 2liter bottles.
My question is what do I get for lighting? I don't want to melt the brace on the tank so my plan is to get (2) 24" versa tops with (2) 24" light strips. The problem is that I don't know what lights I should get. I want the tank to be heavily planted and want lighting adequate enough to support healthy plant growth.
:1zhelp::1zhelp::1zhelp: Help me decide, WHAT DO I DO???????????? :huh::huh::huh:
ROYWS3
07-23-2009, 11:22 PM
Check out this post. very similar question:
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=200053
FYI - you wont melt the center brace with fluorescent lighting
jpappy789
07-23-2009, 11:46 PM
The stock lighting for a 24" strip light is only 15 watts, so with two you only have a total of 30 watts lighting your 55 gallon. That lighting is going to be very low for any other plants than maybe java moss, java fern and a few others. Even then you wont see much growth, but things should at least stay alive.
Perhaps it would be best to list what plants you will be transferring and we can then suggest lighting suitable for their needs...
customdrum
07-24-2009, 1:01 AM
you need to get a 4' light like with 2 65watt bulbs if you want live plants, like said above the 24" lights wont be enought for much
you wont be melting the brace with a 4' fixture. You can either go for t-5ho like nova extreme from dr foster or check out www.ahsupply.com
Also diy co2 on this large of a tank is tricky. It will be very tough to maintain a balanced concentration of co2. If anything try and stick with 1.5watts per gallon, that way you dont have to use co2 and can grow plants like ferns, anubias, crypts and mosses
jpappy789
07-24-2009, 2:08 AM
I agree on the Co2 part. At that size tank you might as well save the hassle and go pressurized.
Another option is to get a twin tube AGA or Perfecto fixture.
With two 24" fixtures...60 watts (4x15w)
With a single 4' strip...80 watts (2x40w)
Still in the low light range but you would see improved growth compared to <1 wpg
SubRosa
07-24-2009, 8:03 AM
Since you have to buy a fixture anyway look into a T5 HO that has 2 or even 4 bulbs. Don't get too hung up on watts per gallon. A T5 HO with 2x4' tubes puts out 108 watts. I guarantee you it will be alot brighter than a PC fixture with 2x65 W, and produce less heat. Current and Hagen are two good brands to go with.
I gave up on DIY CO2 on my 55g aquarium - I had several bottles and I was convinced it wasn't doing anything. I switched to a liquid carbon supplement- I use Brightwell Aquatics Florin Axis- $8 worth will last over a year... I've been told by someone "in the know" it's not a real carbon replacement... Nonetheless, I've witnessed fantastic growth since using it. (although that corresponded with a light upgrade). There is Seachem's Excel that is a liquid carbon supplement that many trust- although it's more expensive.
Naturally best results will be with pressurised CO2- but unless you've got high powered lights it may not be necessary.
For lights- if you feel comfortable doing very light duty electronics yourself- search the forum for DIY lighting... very easy- I put 2.2wpg lighting in my 55g for under $40.
Mrssacevedo
07-24-2009, 10:43 AM
The stock lighting for a 24" strip light is only 15 watts, so with two you only have a total of 30 watts lighting your 55 gallon. That lighting is going to be very low for any other plants than maybe java moss, java fern and a few others. Even then you wont see much growth, but things should at least stay alive.
Perhaps it would be best to list what plants you will be transferring and we can then suggest lighting suitable for their needs...
I have green and red crypts, riccia, broadleaf ludwigia, java moss, duckweed, pogostemos erectum, telanthera, hygro corymnosa compact, and three that I don't know the name of. One floats, the other is like a vine with broad green leaves and the third is a tall green one.*
Right now they are under (2) 15watts CFL with DIY CO2 and growing well. *The temp is 78-80 with the bulbs with a ph of 7.6. When I transfer them I want to have adequate lighting.*
Mrssacevedo
07-24-2009, 11:05 AM
I was thinking of the T5 HO for lighting. From what I read and have seen online it's really good. If the T5 HO will give me adequate lighting without raising the temp then I'll go with the T5.
Now about CO2, I was thinking of going pressurized. But what sized do I get? I found some cylinders on this site for really good prices:
http://www.AquariumPlants.com/Aluminum_CO2_Cylinders_Tanks_p/t.htm
And this one has lights: http://www.cheappetproducts.net/Lighting-C90.html
what do you think?
Hebily
07-24-2009, 11:11 AM
I haven't tried them but am seriously considering it. Petsmart has these: http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3060839
I just realized, the lights I currently have on my 50 gal are 24". I'm not sure if 36" would fit under my hood, and I am fairly certain that 48" won't. Something to consider...
Bk718
07-24-2009, 11:23 AM
Heres another site with co2 tanks
http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/tanks/co2.shtml
I would get the largest you can afford/fit in the area. Though only a 5/10lb tanks will fit in the stand, for larger ones you would have to cut things out in the stand in order to fit it.
I would look locally first, on sites like craigslist or local ebay. I picked up my 20lb co2 tank on ebay for only $50-60 (dont remember)
My 20lb tank lasted me a year, a refill for a 20lb tank is about $20-30 depending on area.
With co2 tank you would also need a regulator. Check out www.water-testers.com (http://www.water-testers.com) they have cheap milwaukee regulators.
As far as lighting if you arnt that great with diy projects or even putting together kits that need some assembly I would suggest you still go for Nova Extreme t5HO from dr foster. From what i see is that dr foster is the only site that carries that fixture with new reflectors, now each bulb has its own reflector instead of just one flat sheet of metal the old fixtures had. The fixture is only $102 (now on sale).
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=16770
Here is another t5 fixture thats considered great due to its single lamp reflectors
http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/product_info.php?cPath=71_136&products_id=1638&osCsid=d923e5e30aa7bd2ccc556fff224f9864
(though with this fixture co2 would be a must)
Yes they do have cheaper t5ho fixtures but hey if you want quality its good to spend an extra buck. In all light fixtures the main parts that make a difference are the ballast and reflectors. High polished reflectors that are bent on angles to burst more/all light directly into the tank are the best.
Heres a thread from a while back that may answer any of your other questions
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=171796
jpappy789
07-24-2009, 1:21 PM
I have green and red crypts, riccia, broadleaf ludwigia, java moss, duckweed, pogostemos erectum, telanthera, hygro corymnosa compact, and three that I don't know the name of. One floats, the other is like a vine with broad green leaves and the third is a tall green one.*
Right now they are under (2) 15watts CFL with DIY CO2 and growing well. *The temp is 78-80 with the bulbs with a ph of 7.6. When I transfer them I want to have adequate lighting.*
Pics would help for ID, but the second mystery plant sounds like pennywort to me.
Hebily
07-24-2009, 2:09 PM
Broad-leaf vine thing definately sounds like pennywort... :iagree:
Mrssacevedo
07-24-2009, 5:33 PM
Pics would help for ID, but the second mystery plant sounds like pennywort to me.
Broad-leaf vine thing definately sounds like pennywort... :iagree:
Wow you guys are good. It is pennywort, I'll look up the others online and see what they are called. I can't take a pic because my camera is broken.