I need lights!

M

mtdewlover

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Dec 19, 2002
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Ok. I have a 29 gallon tank. I want to make it a planted aquarium. I have African Cichlids. I'm trying to buy the right lighting for plants, but oh my goodness! First I don't have $100 to spend on some lights! Do you know anywhere I could get some lights cheaper? Second my 29 gallon is 30" long. I am having trouble finding a light set that is that size! Any suggestions ideas? I'm looking for a 30" light set with around 72 watts.
 
Two ideas: first, have you checked out compact fluorescent lights? If you're gonna buy something anyway, you might want to check them out before you plunk down your bucks.

Also, for straight fluorescents: if you've got a 24" strip light around, Walmart (yes, Walmart!) makes a great little light called "Sunlight" that I'm using on my 38-gal tank. It's 20 watts full spectrum, 5000K. Cost? $5.99.

-- Pat
 
What sort of African Cichlids? Quite a few cichlids are usually not compatible with plants. For many established cichlid tanks, I would suggest java fern, java moss and anubias. These plants don't seem to be a favorite for fish when it comes to snacking on, and they can be anchored to rocks, or driftwood so they won't get dug up. As a bonus, they can grow in low/moderate light situations, cutting down on lighting costs. For java fern, java moss, and anubias lighting between 1-2wpg should suffice.

HTH
-Richer
 
I've got a low-light 29g planted tank. It's doable with only 20w, which is what I've currently got. You just need to pick out low-light plants. Now, findling low-light plants which are also cichlid proof, might be more difficult.

I'm currently researching an upgrade to my lighting. I'll probably go with custom-sealife's Britelite. It's a 65w striplight for about $98 at Big Al's. That would give me over 2w/g. The other alternative is All-Glass' Power Compact Strip. 55w for $79.

If you've got a hood on your tank it opens up other possibilities. Such as the various retro-fit kits.

Good Luck!
 
In the past, I've done a 29g with two 20wt. lamps and grew green Hygro like mad in the tank. I was only dosing a liquid fert occasionally-no CO2 or substrate ferts. My brother has a 55g African cichlid tank w/ common Malawi cichlids and 80 wts of light (two forty wt tubes) and is growing green Hygro, Contortionist Val, Bacopa Carolina, Beulbitis and Anubias. All are growing nicely and the fish don't seem to bother them too much. Again, He is only dosing liquid ferts occasionally- No CO2 or substrate ferts. Hope this helps,
ROY
 
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