Lighting a 135 gallon

[cdawson]

I'm currently thinking of switching my 135g SW tank over to a FW planted tank. Our heavily planted 50g tank needs to expand and the SW bug is not as exciting as it once was.

I'm going to give the 50g to my Green spotted puffer and lose my monos (anyone in BC want 5 adult monos in SW?), but the problem altogether is lighting. I don't want to spend $2000 on lights and I can't have lighting that hangs by cable. Are there any CF strips out there that will accomodate a 72" tank? Preferably JBJ. I couldn't find anything on all the websites I looked at including the JBJ site (they're site doesn't show all of their products?). I know corallife systems has a 72" strip, but it's only a SW light. Can I have 6500K lights in that strip as well?

[Blinky]

You may want to contact the manufacturer to be sure, but as long as the bulbs are a similar pin configuration, wattage, and length, they should work - I just bought a fixture that comes with a daylight bulb and an actinic bulb, and I've purchased another daylight bulb to replace the actinic. I did double check with my LFS, they said I could switch it out no problem - I guess I'll see for sure when the fixture gets here :)
I'm absolutely drooling over the thought of a 72" heavily planted tank, BTW :D

[tuchon35]

If you don't mind having 2 36" fixtures. JBJ has the 96x2. If you put 2 of those on that you will 384 watts which will be strong enough. That is what i have on my 180 and i can grow just about anything. Almost forgot you can usually get them with 6500k for around $200 per fixture with bulbs.

here is a link. the price is average but you might be able to find a better deal somewhere else
http://www.franksaquarium.com/Formosa_lighting.htm

[Blinky]

Definitely check out ebay - there are sometimes some pretty good deals. I bought my new (in the box, never been used) 36" 2 x 96W Satellite (which still hasn't arrived, argh!) for $168 US. It comes with a nifty little LED moonlight too :D

[cdawson]

Yeah e-bay across the border takes awhile, I had to wait 4 weeks more than I should have for my indian almond leaves.

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help. I was thinking 2x36" as well. One of the local shop carries JBJ lights and has 4 36" strips in stock right now.

blinky: You and me both =) I figured, I'm bored with the SW tank. It's too much to maintain for my schedule. I breed too many different species and keep so many tanks that SW just doesn't fit into my style anymore. Not to mention my monos are too skittish and a 135g is kind of a waste for a green spotted puffer. My 50g looks more and more cramped everytime I look at it too.... My angels need more space, and my amazon swords are taking over the 50 gallon.

The only downside is, this is going to be an expensive transition....

HEY! I'm at 1,000 posts! :dance

[Carpmouth]

I'm glad I read your post. I just got a 180 gallon and was thinking about getting two 36" PC srip lights that each contain two 96 watt bulbs. Coralife has some of these in the 150 to 170 dollar range that come with 6500K bulbs. I was wondering if this would be sufficient. Thanks for answering my question without having to ask it.

If you don't mind having 2 36" fixtures. JBJ has the 96x2. If you put 2 of those on that you will 384 watts which will be strong enough. That is what i have on my 180 and i can grow just about anything. Almost forgot you can usually get them with 6500k for around $200 per fixture with bulbs.

here is a link. the price is average but you might be able to find a better deal somewhere else
http://www.franksaquarium.com/Formosa_lighting.htm

[tuchon35]

I have had no problems with 384 watt over a 180. I know everyone is stuck on the watts per gallon rule, but for larger tanks 150+ as long as you have around 2 watts per gallon, you can grow most high light plants. As long as you get some quality substrate (i highly recommend eco complete i have 16 bags for my 180 ) and a pressurized co2 system. Its a pretty idiot proof setup (thats why i picked it) with outstanding results.

[Carpmouth]

Yet again you answer another question. I figured that it would take about 15 bags of Eco Complete to give me a layer three inches deep, so I was correct on my calculations. I was thinking of using 2" of potting soil covered by 1" of Eco-Complete to help reduce costs.

[tuchon35]

I am not to familiar with potting soil in the aquarium, i have heard of quite a few things to that effect. What i did in my 55 was 1/2 eco complete covered with natural sand which worked fine. I am almost thinking of putting a layer of sand on top of my eco complete in my 180 just because i am not particulary fond with the look of eco.

[cdawson]

Yet again you answer another question. I figured that it would take about 15 bags of Eco Complete to give me a layer three inches deep, so I was correct on my calculations. I was thinking of using 2" of potting soil covered by 1" of Eco-Complete to help reduce costs.

Potting soil would be a BAD idea, it makes a huge mess and degrades too quickly. In an aquarium that leads to disaster.

[cdawson]

I'm glad I read your post. I just got a 180 gallon and was thinking about getting two 36" PC srip lights that each contain two 96 watt bulbs. Coralife has some of these in the 150 to 170 dollar range that come with 6500K bulbs. I was wondering if this would be sufficient. Thanks for answering my question without having to ask it.

Coral life lighting systems are crap, they're bottom of the line and I wouldn't buy another ever again after the last two. The reflectors are garbage.

JBJ would be the only brand of CF light I would buy, extremely high quality for a very reasonable price. The reflector is the key to a good light and JBJ reflectors are definately the best out there. I only trust my plants with a JBJ light.