I am in the process of setting up a 29g planted aquarium. It will be home to what is currently in my 10g and more. I currently have 2 WPG via two screw in type compact fluorescent bulbs in my 10g with no C02 or ferts added and my plants are doing great (anubias, rangeri sword, micro sword, crypt).
The 29 has insufficient lighting (20 W) in the form of a standard single strip light in the perfecto hood. I am looking to add a lot more light to this tank to get closer to 2-3 WPG ( I will be adding C02).
I don't want to spend a lot of money and have come up with 2 options essentially.
1. I can buy 2 double 24" fluorescent fixtures for $22 a piece and then build a canopy around them for about $10. That leaves me with 80W that will cover most of the surface of the tank for about $65 with bulbs. Its an afternoon of work though and I won't be able to paint the inside because its so **** cold here right now (can't open windows for ventilation)
2. I can buy a single 55W Power Compact unit from AHSupply for around $42 plus a bulb and just install it in the existing hood. Its a lot less work but its less light.
I know that PCs bust through the water more effectively than standard fluorescents but the PC would be more of a strip light while the SF fixtures would cover most of the water surface.
What are you thoughts on which is better? In the end is a 55W PC close to the same as 4 20W SF?
The 29 has insufficient lighting (20 W) in the form of a standard single strip light in the perfecto hood. I am looking to add a lot more light to this tank to get closer to 2-3 WPG ( I will be adding C02).
I don't want to spend a lot of money and have come up with 2 options essentially.
1. I can buy 2 double 24" fluorescent fixtures for $22 a piece and then build a canopy around them for about $10. That leaves me with 80W that will cover most of the surface of the tank for about $65 with bulbs. Its an afternoon of work though and I won't be able to paint the inside because its so **** cold here right now (can't open windows for ventilation)
2. I can buy a single 55W Power Compact unit from AHSupply for around $42 plus a bulb and just install it in the existing hood. Its a lot less work but its less light.
I know that PCs bust through the water more effectively than standard fluorescents but the PC would be more of a strip light while the SF fixtures would cover most of the water surface.
What are you thoughts on which is better? In the end is a 55W PC close to the same as 4 20W SF?
