Questions about lighting for a 55 gal

[cb93lx]

I was reading a link from the DIY forum and it stated to have between 2-4 watts per gallon. Is this right? All the aquarium lights ive seen are only 40 W. I have a 55 gallon with the black plastic lids with the small area of plexi glass. My light is a 48" and only houses 1 bulb. What would you guys suggest? I have no live plants. Also thought I read that you can use the regular bath and Kitchen bulbs for aquariums? They dont get too hot? Thanks for any help and suggestions. I appreciate it

[AntmanMike]

If you have no live plants, the 2-4 watt per gallon rule does not apply. As long as you can see, you are fine.

[NJ Devils Fan]

When you hear people say that they need a certain amount of light, it is because they need it for their plants. If you are planning on getting live plants, you can go to home depot and get a shop light there for a few dollars and you will have more light for you tank cheaply.

[cb93lx]

Thanks. I was just wondering. But, can I use regular tube lights for my aqaurium or stick with the Aquarium bulbs? I mean, theyre alot cheaper. Thanks again

[AntmanMike]

Whatever you can see. Some aquarium bulbs tend to display the fishes colors better.

Why dont you want plants?

[NJ Devils Fan]

Bulbs that say "for aquarium use" mean nothing. It's just an advertising scheme so that you will think you have to use them and pay high prices. You can just use the regular bulbs.

[cb93lx]

Antmanmike , I dont know really, dont know alot about plant keeping. Maybe Ill look into it though. thanks



NJ Devils Fan I couldnt tell by your post if that was picking on my ignorance on the subject or if that was stated as fact......Please let me know if you are being serious or not. Thanks

[GillBates]

You can do all sorts of things with different lighting.......regular shop lights, for example, will be bright enough, but will show poor coloration in your tank, leaning towards the yellow side......very bright lights, 6500 to 10,000K will be good for algae growth and plants, but tend to bleach out the colors.....I use a combination of soft, color enhancing bulbs like the Colormax in conjunction with a bright, daylight bulb like the Trichromatic or Daymax.......it's like anything else in life, you can spend what you want...you get what you pay for. A good fish store should let you experiment with bulbs until you find a combo that is pleasing to your eye. Or, you can use $3 shop lights and take what you get. But you can make a big difference in how your tank looks by changing bulbs!

[Heady]

NJ Devils Fan was not joshing you.

Lights that are labeled "for aquarium use" without any other info are really just regular lights - they think they can get people to pay more for them, since they're "for aquariums".

Full-spectrum and daylight bulbs are made to provide light closer to sunlight. If you don't have/don't want plants, any old lights will do.

[AntmanMike]

Yah I dont know how you could say he was picking on you from that post...

[cb93lx]

Thanks again. There was no disrespect to NJ Devils Fan. I guess it just sounds weird to here that lights that are marked "for aquarium use" really are just a trick to get you to pay more. It worked on me for a year. Anyway, thanks for the help.

[Faramir]

I find the tubes they sell at the hardware stores are too yellow in tone. There isn't much of a range. May be different in the US.

[NJ Devils Fan]

Thanks heady. Yea, I was just saying that the companies that make bulbs that just say, "for aquarium use" say it because people who are looking for a bulb for their fish tank will buy that one because it says, "for aquarium use". They are also more money then other bulbs. I got two 6500K bulbs from home depot for $5, while just one "aquarium" bulb cost $10. It's all advertising.